diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/source/gamestructures.c b/polymer/eduke32/source/gamestructures.c
index 24631fcc5..b93cf000e 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/source/gamestructures.c
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/source/gamestructures.c
@@ -1218,6 +1218,12 @@ int32_t __fastcall VM_GetProjectile(register int32_t const iTile, register int32
 
     projectile_t * const proj = g_tile[iTile].proj;
 
+    if (EDUKE32_PREDICT_FALSE(!proj))
+    {
+        CON_ERRPRINTF("VM_GetProjectile: no projectile defined for tile %d\n", iTile);
+        return -1;
+    }
+
     switch (lLabelID)
     {
         case PROJ_WORKSLIKE: lLabelID = proj->workslike; break;
@@ -1266,6 +1272,12 @@ void __fastcall VM_SetProjectile(register int32_t const iTile, register int32_t
 
     projectile_t * const proj = g_tile[iTile].proj;
 
+    if (EDUKE32_PREDICT_FALSE(!proj))
+    {
+        CON_ERRPRINTF("VM_SetProjectile: no projectile defined for tile %d\n", iTile);
+        return;
+    }
+
     switch (lLabelID)
     {
         case PROJ_WORKSLIKE: proj->workslike = iSet; break;