diff --git a/src/gamedata/info.cpp b/src/gamedata/info.cpp
index 010200a77..dbc2410b9 100644
--- a/src/gamedata/info.cpp
+++ b/src/gamedata/info.cpp
@@ -707,6 +707,11 @@ static void SummonActor (int command, int command2, FCommandLine argv)
 			Printf ("Unknown actor '%s'\n", argv[1]);
 			return;
 		}
+		if (type->bAbstract)
+		{
+			Printf("Cannot instantiate abstract class %s\n", argv[1]);
+			return;
+		}
 		Net_WriteByte (argv.argc() > 2 ? command2 : command);
 		Net_WriteString (type->TypeName.GetChars());