diff --git a/src/p_enemy.c b/src/p_enemy.c
index ca947fc20..618665c97 100644
--- a/src/p_enemy.c
+++ b/src/p_enemy.c
@@ -2231,7 +2231,7 @@ void A_CrushclawLaunch(mobj_t *actor)
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (!actor->target)
+	if (P_MobjWasRemoved(actor->target))
 		return;
 
 	{