diff --git a/code/modules/ai/ai_holder.dm b/code/modules/ai/ai_holder.dm
index 4dc43c20f3..0a3acbf297 100644
--- a/code/modules/ai/ai_holder.dm
+++ b/code/modules/ai/ai_holder.dm
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@
 
 // For setting the stance WITHOUT processing it
 /datum/ai_holder/proc/set_stance(var/new_stance)
-	if(holder.key && !autopilot)
+	if(holder?.key && !autopilot)
 		return
 	if(stance == new_stance)
 		ai_log("set_stance() : Ignoring change stance to same stance request.", AI_LOG_INFO)