diff --git a/mods/cozylights/init.lua b/mods/cozylights/init.lua
index fe6c0a42..81ebf6c2 100644
--- a/mods/cozylights/init.lua
+++ b/mods/cozylights/init.lua
@@ -515,6 +515,9 @@ 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)
+				if player = nil then 
+					goto next_player
+				end
 				local pos = vector.round(player:getpos())
 				pos.y = pos.y + 1
 				local wield_name = player:get_wielded_item():get_name()