diff --git a/Themes/default/BGAnimations/ScreenGameplay overlay.lua b/Themes/default/BGAnimations/ScreenGameplay overlay.lua
index 35cb2aebc6..7056d62c0a 100644
--- a/Themes/default/BGAnimations/ScreenGameplay overlay.lua	
+++ b/Themes/default/BGAnimations/ScreenGameplay overlay.lua	
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ local function UpdateTime(self)
 		local vStats = STATSMAN:GetCurStageStats():GetPlayerStageStats( pn );
 		local vTime;
 		local obj = self:GetChild( string.format("RemainingTime" .. PlayerNumberToString(pn) ) );
-		if vStats then
+		if vStats and obj then
 			vTime = vStats:GetLifeRemainingSeconds()
 			obj:settext( SecondsToMMSSMsMs( vTime ) );
 		end;
@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ if GAMESTATE:GetCurrentCourse() then
 	end;
 end; --]]
 t.InitCommand=cmd(SetUpdateFunction,UpdateTime);
-return t
\ No newline at end of file
+return t