diff --git a/src/g_shared/a_pickups.cpp b/src/g_shared/a_pickups.cpp
index 3ebcedb40..cc559ea94 100644
--- a/src/g_shared/a_pickups.cpp
+++ b/src/g_shared/a_pickups.cpp
@@ -1792,7 +1792,10 @@ bool ABackpackItem::HandlePickup (AInventory *item)
 AInventory *ABackpackItem::CreateTossable ()
 {
 	ABackpackItem *pack = static_cast<ABackpackItem *>(Super::CreateTossable());
-	pack->bDepleted = true;
+	if (pack != NULL)
+	{
+		pack->bDepleted = true;
+	}
 	return pack;
 }