diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp
index 22f8e7112a..55025b3b23 100755
--- a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp
@@ -719,7 +719,7 @@ RayToAvatarIntersectionResult AvatarManager::findRayIntersectionVector(const Pic
                 }
             }
 
-            if (rayAvatarResult._intersect && pickAgainstMesh) {
+            if (avatar && rayAvatarResult._intersect && pickAgainstMesh) {
                 glm::vec3 localRayOrigin = avatar->worldToJointPoint(ray.origin, rayAvatarResult._intersectWithJoint);
                 glm::vec3 localRayPoint = avatar->worldToJointPoint(ray.origin + rayAvatarResult._distance * rayDirection, rayAvatarResult._intersectWithJoint);