diff --git a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Update/AIUpdate/DozerAIUpdate.cpp b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Update/AIUpdate/DozerAIUpdate.cpp
index 449cc779518..5dae573b054 100644
--- a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Update/AIUpdate/DozerAIUpdate.cpp
+++ b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Update/AIUpdate/DozerAIUpdate.cpp
@@ -1074,7 +1074,12 @@ StateReturnType DozerPrimaryIdleState::update( void )
 	//
 	if( ai->isIdle() && !m_isMarkedAsIdle && !dozer->isEffectivelyDead())
 	{
-		m_idlePlayerNumber = dozer->getControllingPlayer()->getPlayerIndex();
+		Player *controllingPlayer = dozer->getControllingPlayer();
+		if( !controllingPlayer )
+		{
+			return STATE_FAILURE;
+		}
+		m_idlePlayerNumber = controllingPlayer->getPlayerIndex();
 		TheInGameUI->addIdleWorker(getMachineOwner());
 		m_isMarkedAsIdle = TRUE;
 		getMachineOwner()->setWeaponSetFlag(WEAPONSET_MINE_CLEARING_DETAIL);//maybe go clear some mines, if I feel like it
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Update/AIUpdate/DozerAIUpdate.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Update/AIUpdate/DozerAIUpdate.cpp
index 59263b50e3c..3b82c70b491 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Update/AIUpdate/DozerAIUpdate.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Update/AIUpdate/DozerAIUpdate.cpp
@@ -1079,7 +1079,12 @@ StateReturnType DozerPrimaryIdleState::update( void )
 	//
 	if( ai->isIdle() && !m_isMarkedAsIdle && !dozer->isEffectivelyDead())
 	{
-		m_idlePlayerNumber = dozer->getControllingPlayer()->getPlayerIndex();
+		Player *controllingPlayer = dozer->getControllingPlayer();
+		if( !controllingPlayer )
+		{
+			return STATE_FAILURE;
+		}
+		m_idlePlayerNumber = controllingPlayer->getPlayerIndex();
 		TheInGameUI->addIdleWorker(getMachineOwner());
 		m_isMarkedAsIdle = TRUE;
 		getMachineOwner()->setWeaponSetFlag(WEAPONSET_MINE_CLEARING_DETAIL);//maybe go clear some mines, if I feel like it