diff --git a/code/modules/client/client procs.dm b/code/modules/client/client procs.dm
index d1cd74964fd..6d8a2e6d1d8 100644
--- a/code/modules/client/client procs.dm	
+++ b/code/modules/client/client procs.dm	
@@ -137,7 +137,8 @@ var/next_external_rsc = 0
 
 	if (!ticker || ticker.current_state == GAME_STATE_PREGAME)
 		spawn (rand(10,150))
-			sync_client_with_db()
+			if (src)
+				sync_client_with_db()
 	else
 		sync_client_with_db()