diff --git a/engine/sw/r_draw.c b/engine/sw/r_draw.c
index 075e88886..a03cea490 100644
--- a/engine/sw/r_draw.c
+++ b/engine/sw/r_draw.c
@@ -144,6 +144,12 @@ void R_LoadSkyBox (void)
 			sprintf (pathname, "env/%s%s.pcx", skyname, suf[r_skysideimage[i]]);
 			r_skytexinfo[i].texture = Mod_LoadWall (pathname);	//q2 fall back
 		}
+		if (!r_skytexinfo[i].texture)
+		{
+			// break out and erase skyname so renderer won't render it
+			skyname[0] = '\0';
+			return;
+		}
 	}
 #endif
 }