diff --git a/src/g_game.c b/src/g_game.c
index 44860bbbc..99c8e5d3f 100644
--- a/src/g_game.c
+++ b/src/g_game.c
@@ -1411,7 +1411,7 @@ void G_BuildTiccmd(ticcmd_t *cmd, INT32 realtics, UINT8 ssplayer)
 			newtarget = P_SpawnMobj(ticcmd_ztargetfocus[forplayer]->x, ticcmd_ztargetfocus[forplayer]->y, ticcmd_ztargetfocus[forplayer]->z, MT_LOCKON); // positioning, flip handled in P_SceneryThinker
 			P_SetTarget(&newtarget->target, ticcmd_ztargetfocus[forplayer]);
 
-			if (P_AproxDistance(
+			if (player->mo && P_AproxDistance(
 				player->mo->x - ticcmd_ztargetfocus[forplayer]->x,
 				player->mo->y - ticcmd_ztargetfocus[forplayer]->y
 			) > 50*player->mo->scale)