A piston and method is provided that inhibits the potential catastrophic damage to an internal combustion engine, thereby reducing the risk of costly damage to the engine. The piston includes a piston body having an upper combustion surface separated from an internal cooling chamber by a wall. The a pocket extends into the upper combustion surface to a closed bottom surface of the wall. A tubular member is disposed in the pocket. The tubular member extends upwardly from the upper surface. Should a valve head drop from its normal operating position, the valve head impacts the tubular member and forms a blow-by through passage extending from the upper combustion surface into the cooling chamber.