diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/misc_defines.dm b/code/__DEFINES/misc_defines.dm
index 2429543f600..f9c82e2b067 100644
--- a/code/__DEFINES/misc_defines.dm
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/misc_defines.dm
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@
 #define MAX_SUPPLIED_LAW_NUMBER 50
 
 /// Grabs the area of a supplied object. Passing an area in to this will result in an error
-#define get_area(T) ((get_step(T, 0).loc))
+#define get_area(T) ((get_step(T, 0)?.loc))
 
 //check_target_facings() return defines
 #define FACING_FAILED											0