diff --git a/src/p_map.cpp b/src/p_map.cpp
index b61c130ac..5feff237e 100644
--- a/src/p_map.cpp
+++ b/src/p_map.cpp
@@ -4294,7 +4294,7 @@ void P_RailAttack(AActor *source, int damage, int offset_xy, fixed_t offset_z, i
 		if (puffclass != NULL && puffDefaults->flags3 & MF3_ALWAYSPUFF)
 		{
 			puff = P_SpawnPuff(source, puffclass, trace.X, trace.Y, trace.Z, (source->angle + angleoffset) - ANG90, 1, 0);
-			if (puff && (trace.Line->special == Line_Horizon) && !(puff->flags3 & MF3_SKYEXPLODE))
+			if (puff && (trace.Line != NULL) && (trace.Line->special == Line_Horizon) && !(puff->flags3 & MF3_SKYEXPLODE))
 				puff->Destroy();
 		}
 		if (puff != NULL && puffDefaults->flags7 & MF7_FORCEDECAL && puff->DecalGenerator)