diff --git a/code/controllers/configuration/entries/dbconfig.dm b/code/controllers/configuration/entries/dbconfig.dm
index 2597a123a68..842e4f88058 100644
--- a/code/controllers/configuration/entries/dbconfig.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/configuration/entries/dbconfig.dm
@@ -49,5 +49,5 @@
 	min_val = 1
 
 /datum/config_entry/number/max_concurrent_queries
-	config_entry_value = 25
+	default = 25
 	min_val = 1
diff --git a/modular_skyrat/modules/title_screen/code/new_player.dm b/modular_skyrat/modules/title_screen/code/new_player.dm
index baf67ffe248..21ae13c8a28 100644
--- a/modular_skyrat/modules/title_screen/code/new_player.dm
+++ b/modular_skyrat/modules/title_screen/code/new_player.dm
@@ -228,6 +228,9 @@
  * Shows the player a list of current polls, if any.
  */
 /mob/dead/new_player/proc/playerpolls()
+	if(!usr || !client)
+		return
+
 	var/output
 	if (!SSdbcore.Connect())
 		return