diff --git a/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/observer.dm b/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/observer.dm
index 2a3511894b..c7c92d472b 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/observer.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/observer.dm
@@ -44,9 +44,12 @@
 	..()
 	statpanel("Status")
 	if (src.client.statpanel == "Status")
-		if(ticker.mode.name == "AI malfunction")
-			if(ticker.mode:malf_mode_declared)
-				stat(null, "Time left: [max(ticker.mode:AI_win_timeleft/(ticker.mode:apcs/3), 0)]")
+		if(ticker.mode != null)
+			//world << "DEBUG: ticker not null"
+			if(ticker.mode.name == "AI malfunction")
+				//world << "DEBUG: malf mode ticker test"
+				if(ticker.mode:malf_mode_declared)
+					stat(null, "Time left: [max(ticker.mode:AI_win_timeleft/(ticker.mode:apcs/3), 0)]")
 		if(emergency_shuttle)
 			if(emergency_shuttle.online && emergency_shuttle.location < 2)
 				var/timeleft = emergency_shuttle.timeleft()