diff --git a/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/PlayerControllerAi.java b/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/PlayerControllerAi.java
index bf5b6cdb80c..1c0f9a6d131 100644
--- a/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/PlayerControllerAi.java
+++ b/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/PlayerControllerAi.java
@@ -659,7 +659,7 @@ public class PlayerControllerAi extends PlayerController {
             }
         }
         final PhaseHandler ph = game.getPhaseHandler();
-        if (ph.getPlayerTurn() == sa.getActivatingPlayer() && ph.getPhase() == PhaseType.MAIN1) {
+        if (ph.getPlayerTurn() == sa.getActivatingPlayer() && ph.getPhase() == PhaseType.MAIN1 && sa.getTargetCard() != null) {
             AiAttackController aiAtk = new AiAttackController(sa.getActivatingPlayer(), sa.getTargetCard());
             String s = aiAtk.toProtectAttacker(sa);
             if (s != null) {