diff --git a/code/modules/lighting/light_source.dm b/code/modules/lighting/light_source.dm
index 30493b98bec..5b7d706d3da 100644
--- a/code/modules/lighting/light_source.dm
+++ b/code/modules/lighting/light_source.dm
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 /datum/light_source/proc/destroy()
 	destroyed = 1
 	force_update()
-	if(source_atom) source_atom.light_sources -= src
+	if(source_atom && source_atom.light_sources) source_atom.light_sources -= src
 	if(top_atom) top_atom.light_sources -= src
 
 /datum/light_source/proc/update(atom/new_top_atom)