diff --git a/source/games/sw/src/input.cpp b/source/games/sw/src/input.cpp
index 0c3de38f0..802d5af7f 100644
--- a/source/games/sw/src/input.cpp
+++ b/source/games/sw/src/input.cpp
@@ -162,7 +162,9 @@ static void processWeapon(PLAYERp const pp)
 
 void GameInterface::GetInput(InputPacket *packet, ControlInfo* const hidInput)
 {
-    if (paused || M_Active())
+    PLAYERp pp = &Player[myconnectindex];
+
+    if (paused || M_Active() || pp->PlayerSprite <= -1)
     {
         loc = {};
         return;
@@ -170,7 +172,6 @@ void GameInterface::GetInput(InputPacket *packet, ControlInfo* const hidInput)
 
     double const scaleAdjust = InputScale();
     InputPacket input {};
-    PLAYERp pp = &Player[myconnectindex];
 
     ApplyGlobalInput(loc, hidInput);
     processMovement(&input, &loc, hidInput, scaleAdjust, 0, !pp->sop, pp->sop_control ? 3. / 1.40625 : 1.);