diff --git a/Barotrauma/BarotraumaShared/SharedSource/Characters/AI/HumanAIController.cs b/Barotrauma/BarotraumaShared/SharedSource/Characters/AI/HumanAIController.cs
index e4d777e7f..d01d5de4d 100644
--- a/Barotrauma/BarotraumaShared/SharedSource/Characters/AI/HumanAIController.cs
+++ b/Barotrauma/BarotraumaShared/SharedSource/Characters/AI/HumanAIController.cs
@@ -1165,7 +1165,7 @@ namespace Barotrauma
                         // The guards don't react when the player attacks instigators.
                         return c.IsSecurity ? AIObjectiveCombat.CombatMode.None : (Character.CombatAction != null ? Character.CombatAction.WitnessReaction : AIObjectiveCombat.CombatMode.Retreat);
                     }
-                    else if (attacker.TeamID == CharacterTeamType.FriendlyNPC && !(attacker.AIController.IsMentallyUnstable || attacker.AIController.IsMentallyUnstable))
+                    else if (attacker.TeamID == CharacterTeamType.FriendlyNPC && attacker.AIController != null && !(attacker.AIController.IsMentallyUnstable || attacker.AIController.IsMentallyUnstable))
                     {
                         if (c.IsSecurity)
                         {