diff --git a/forge-gui-desktop/src/main/java/forge/screens/match/CMatchUI.java b/forge-gui-desktop/src/main/java/forge/screens/match/CMatchUI.java
index a002d398f28..79c88aa75fb 100644
--- a/forge-gui-desktop/src/main/java/forge/screens/match/CMatchUI.java
+++ b/forge-gui-desktop/src/main/java/forge/screens/match/CMatchUI.java
@@ -610,7 +610,14 @@ public final class CMatchUI
     public void updatePhase() {
         final PlayerView p = getGameView().getPlayerTurn();
         final PhaseType ph = getGameView().getPhase();
-        final PhaseLabel lbl = p == null ? null : getFieldViewFor(p).getPhaseIndicator().getLabelFor(ph);
+        // this should never happen, but I've seen it periodically... so, need to get to the bottom of it
+        PhaseLabel lbl = null;
+        if (ph != null ) {
+            lbl = p == null ? null : getFieldViewFor(p).getPhaseIndicator().getLabelFor(ph);
+        } else {
+            // not sure what debugging information would help here, log for now
+            System.err.println("getGameView().getPhase() returned 'null'");
+        }
 
         resetAllPhaseButtons();
         if (lbl != null) {