diff --git a/code/modules/plumbing/ducts.dm b/code/modules/plumbing/ducts.dm
index 9aa17073572..af2f81db07d 100644
--- a/code/modules/plumbing/ducts.dm
+++ b/code/modules/plumbing/ducts.dm
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ All the important duct code:
 
 	for(var/atom/movable/AM in loc)
 		var/datum/component/plumbing/P = AM.GetComponent(/datum/component/plumbing)
-		if(P.active)
+		if(P?.active)
 			disconnect_duct() //let's not built under plumbing machinery
 			return
 	for(var/D in GLOB.cardinals)