diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/SkeletonModel.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/SkeletonModel.cpp
index f2a7c2f207..911ebb7412 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/SkeletonModel.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/SkeletonModel.cpp
@@ -618,6 +618,9 @@ void SkeletonModel::updateVisibleJointStates() {
 
 /// \return offset of hips after foot animation
 void SkeletonModel::updateStandingFoot() {
+    if (_geometry == NULL) {
+        return;
+    }
     glm::vec3 offset(0.0f);
     int leftFootIndex = _geometry->getFBXGeometry().leftToeJointIndex;
     int rightFootIndex = _geometry->getFBXGeometry().rightToeJointIndex;