diff --git a/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm b/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm
index 15a510f7099..c5c900c1638 100644
--- a/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm
@@ -646,7 +646,7 @@ var/datum/controller/subsystem/ticker/ticker
 /datum/controller/subsystem/ticker/proc/check_maprotate()
 	if (!config.maprotation)
 		return
-	if (SSshuttle.emergency.mode != SHUTTLE_ESCAPE || SSshuttle.canRecall())
+	if (SShuttle.emergency && SSshuttle.emergency.mode != SHUTTLE_ESCAPE || SSshuttle.canRecall())
 		return
 	if (maprotatechecked)
 		return