diff --git a/libraries/animation/src/Rig.cpp b/libraries/animation/src/Rig.cpp
index acf7bf81d8..3dad4e3fb6 100644
--- a/libraries/animation/src/Rig.cpp
+++ b/libraries/animation/src/Rig.cpp
@@ -303,7 +303,9 @@ void Rig::setModelOffset(const glm::mat4& modelOffsetMat) {
         _rigToGeometryTransform = glm::inverse(_geometryToRigTransform);
 
         // rebuild cached default poses
-        buildAbsoluteRigPoses(_animSkeleton->getRelativeDefaultPoses(), _absoluteDefaultPoses);
+        if (_animSkeleton) {
+            buildAbsoluteRigPoses(_animSkeleton->getRelativeDefaultPoses(), _absoluteDefaultPoses);
+        }
     }
 }