diff --git a/Barotrauma/BarotraumaShared/Source/GameSettings.cs b/Barotrauma/BarotraumaShared/Source/GameSettings.cs
index b4aea17d2..a9a52caa2 100644
--- a/Barotrauma/BarotraumaShared/Source/GameSettings.cs
+++ b/Barotrauma/BarotraumaShared/Source/GameSettings.cs
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ namespace Barotrauma
         {
             get
             {
-                return defaultPlayerName;
+                return defaultPlayerName ?? "";
             }
             set
             {