diff --git a/stepmania/src/CharacterHead.cpp b/stepmania/src/CharacterHead.cpp
index f8135b25f1..7f5a8a02b6 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/CharacterHead.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/CharacterHead.cpp
@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@ void CharacterHead::LoadFromCharacter( Character* pCharacter )
 
 void CharacterHead::Update( float fDelta )
 {
+	if( this->GetTexture() == NULL )
+		return; /* not loaded */
+
 	if( m_fSecondsUntilReturnToNormal > 0 )
 	{
 		m_fSecondsUntilReturnToNormal -= fDelta;