diff --git a/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Traits/BotModules/SquadManagerBotModule.cs b/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Traits/BotModules/SquadManagerBotModule.cs
index f23990bc78..3bc1d54b18 100644
--- a/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Traits/BotModules/SquadManagerBotModule.cs
+++ b/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Traits/BotModules/SquadManagerBotModule.cs
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ namespace OpenRA.Mods.Common.Traits
 			World = self.World;
 			Player = self.Owner;
 
-			unitCannotBeOrdered = a => a.Owner != Player || a.IsDead || !a.IsInWorld;
+			unitCannotBeOrdered = a => a == null || a.Owner != Player || a.IsDead || !a.IsInWorld;
 		}
 
 		public bool IsEnemyUnit(Actor a)