diff --git a/OpenRA.Game/Traits/World/UnitInfluence.cs b/OpenRA.Game/Traits/World/UnitInfluence.cs
index 9cb9fdf0f5..5ceb332c49 100644
--- a/OpenRA.Game/Traits/World/UnitInfluence.cs
+++ b/OpenRA.Game/Traits/World/UnitInfluence.cs
@@ -73,7 +73,8 @@ namespace OpenRA.Traits
 			else if( influenceNode.actor == toRemove )
 				influenceNode = influenceNode.next;
 
-			RemoveInner( ref influenceNode.next, toRemove );
+			if (influenceNode != null)
+				RemoveInner( ref influenceNode.next, toRemove );
 		}
 
 		public void Update(Actor self, IOccupySpace unit)