diff --git a/language.version b/language.version
index cd6fe7775..1fbaf31f4 100644
--- a/language.version
+++ b/language.version
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 [default]
-SWWM_MODVER="\cyDEMOLITIONIST \cw1.3pre r1070 \cu(Sun 24 Dec 17:56:05 CET 2023)\c-";
-SWWM_SHORTVER="\cw1.3pre r1070 \cu(2023-12-24 17:56:05)\c-";
+SWWM_MODVER="\cyDEMOLITIONIST \cw1.3pre r1071 \cu(Sun 24 Dec 18:27:07 CET 2023)\c-";
+SWWM_SHORTVER="\cw1.3pre r1071 \cu(2023-12-24 18:27:07)\c-";
diff --git a/zscript/player/swwm_player_think.zsc b/zscript/player/swwm_player_think.zsc
index 915e6a9dc..ea31a4b3d 100644
--- a/zscript/player/swwm_player_think.zsc
+++ b/zscript/player/swwm_player_think.zsc
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ extend Class Demolitionist
 
 	override void PlayerThink()
 	{
-		if ( player.playerstate != PST_DEAD ) deadtimer = 0;
+		if ( !player || (player.playerstate != PST_DEAD) ) deadtimer = 0;
 		oldangles = (angle,pitch,roll);
 		if ( player && (player.mo == self) && (player.playerstate != PST_DEAD) && (player.cmd.buttons&BT_USE) )
 		{