diff --git a/src/network/network_client.cpp b/src/network/network_client.cpp
index b5aaee19c6..a91a5f90e2 100644
--- a/src/network/network_client.cpp
+++ b/src/network/network_client.cpp
@@ -446,6 +446,7 @@ NetworkRecvStatus ClientNetworkGameSocketHandler::SendCommand(const CommandPacke
 /** Send a chat-packet over the network */
 NetworkRecvStatus ClientNetworkGameSocketHandler::SendChat(NetworkAction action, DestType type, int dest, const char *msg, NetworkTextMessageData data)
 {
+	if (!my_client) return NETWORK_RECV_STATUS_CONN_LOST;
 	Packet *p = new Packet(PACKET_CLIENT_CHAT);
 
 	p->Send_uint8 (action);