diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainClimb.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainClimb.cpp
index 9439ebe8..72b22571 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainClimb.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainClimb.cpp
@@ -326,7 +326,7 @@ bool plAvBrainClimb::IProcessExitStage(double time, float elapsed)
 
 	float curBlend = ai->GetBlend();
 	
-	if(curBlend > .99)		// reached peak strength
+	if(fCurStage && curBlend > .99)		// reached peak strength
 	{
 		fCurStage->Detach(fAvMod);	// remove the (now completely masked) underlying anim
 		fCurStage = nil;