diff --git a/mods/cozylights/init.lua b/mods/cozylights/init.lua
index 5d311c10..e73c8b40 100644
--- a/mods/cozylights/init.lua
+++ b/mods/cozylights/init.lua
@@ -562,12 +562,14 @@ minetest.register_globalstep(function(dtime)
 		for _,cozyplayer in pairs(cozylights.cozyplayers) do
 			local t = os.clock()
 			local player = minetest.get_player_by_name(cozyplayer.name)
-			local pos = vector.round(player:getpos())
-			pos.y = pos.y + 1
-			local wield_name = player:get_wielded_item():get_name()
-			--todo: checking against a string is expensive, what do
-			if wield_name == "cozylights:light_brush" then
-				on_brush_hold(player,cozyplayer,pos,t)
+			if not player == nil then 
+				local pos = vector.round(player:getpos())
+				pos.y = pos.y + 1
+				local wield_name = player:get_wielded_item():get_name()
+				--todo: checking against a string is expensive, what do
+				if wield_name == "cozylights:light_brush" then
+					on_brush_hold(player,cozyplayer,pos,t)
+				end
 			end
 		end
 	end