diff --git a/code/controllers/subsystem/stickyban.dm b/code/controllers/subsystem/stickyban.dm
index c61ea9943ed..7d027cb845d 100644
--- a/code/controllers/subsystem/stickyban.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/subsystem/stickyban.dm
@@ -44,6 +44,12 @@ SUBSYSTEM_DEF(stickyban)
 		if (ckey != bannedkey)
 			world.SetConfig("ban", bannedkey, null)
 
+		//get_stickyban_from_ckey returned null, aka something broke. Notify admins about it
+		if (!ban)
+			message_admins("Failed to apply stickyban for [bannedkey]. Check the DB for corrupt stickyban entries.")
+			log_admin_private ("Failed to apply stickyban for [bannedkey]. Check the DB for corrupt stickyban entries.")
+			continue
+
 		if (!ban["ckey"])
 			ban["ckey"] = ckey