diff --git a/src/d_player.h b/src/d_player.h
index fdcd29e6a4..4eae01926e 100644
--- a/src/d_player.h
+++ b/src/d_player.h
@@ -250,7 +250,8 @@ struct userinfo_t : TMap<FName,FBaseCVar *>
 	}
 	int GetGender() const
 	{
-		return *static_cast<FIntCVar *>(*CheckKey(NAME_Gender));
+		auto cvar = static_cast<FIntCVar *>(*CheckKey(NAME_Gender));
+		return cvar? *cvar : 0;
 	}
 	bool GetNoAutostartMap() const
 	{