diff --git a/src/p_conversation.cpp b/src/p_conversation.cpp
index 31fa25030..1762ae98e 100644
--- a/src/p_conversation.cpp
+++ b/src/p_conversation.cpp
@@ -763,6 +763,7 @@ public:
 		else if (goodbyestr[0] == '$')
 		{
 			goodbyestr = GStrings(goodbyestr + 1);
+			if (goodbyestr == nullptr) goodbyestr = "Bye.";
 		}
 		mResponses.Push(mResponseLines.Size());
 		mResponseLines.Push(FString(goodbyestr));