diff --git a/src/p_inter.c b/src/p_inter.c
index c2d4c695e0465c96b21c93732449ebf82098485c..858718f84cd4ea3bcc3be4bc780262f732e51b9d 100644
--- a/src/p_inter.c
+++ b/src/p_inter.c
@@ -3441,7 +3441,7 @@ void P_SpecialStageDamage(player_t *player, mobj_t *inflictor, mobj_t *source)
 	if (player->powers[pw_invulnerability] || player->powers[pw_flashing] || player->powers[pw_super])
 		return;
 
-	if (!cv_friendlyfire.value && source->player)
+	if (!cv_friendlyfire.value && source && source->player)
 	{
 		if (inflictor->type == MT_LHRT && !(player->powers[pw_shield] & SH_NOSTACK))
 		{