diff --git a/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/ability/ControlGainAi.java b/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/ability/ControlGainAi.java
index d94b1ea60f1..3a24bbc6ea4 100644
--- a/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/ability/ControlGainAi.java
+++ b/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/ability/ControlGainAi.java
@@ -227,16 +227,18 @@ public class ControlGainAi extends SpellAbilityAi {
                     t = ComputerUtilCard.getMostExpensivePermanentAI(list, sa, true);
                 }
 
-                if (t.isCreature())
-                    creatures--;
-                if (t.isPlaneswalker())
-                    planeswalkers--;
-                if (t.isLand())
-                    lands--;
-                if (t.isArtifact())
-                    artifacts--;
-                if (t.isEnchantment())
-                    enchantments--;
+                if (t != null) {
+                    if (t.isCreature())
+                        creatures--;
+                    if (t.isPlaneswalker())
+                        planeswalkers--;
+                    if (t.isLand())
+                        lands--;
+                    if (t.isArtifact())
+                        artifacts--;
+                    if (t.isEnchantment())
+                        enchantments--;
+                }
 
                 if (!sa.canTarget(t)) {
                     list.remove(t);
diff --git a/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/spellability/SpellAbility.java b/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/spellability/SpellAbility.java
index 90b07f390cd..3017e615679 100644
--- a/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/spellability/SpellAbility.java
+++ b/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/spellability/SpellAbility.java
@@ -889,6 +889,10 @@ public abstract class SpellAbility extends CardTraitBase implements ISpellAbilit
     }
 
     public final boolean canTarget(final GameObject entity) {
+        if (entity == null) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
         final TargetRestrictions tr = getTargetRestrictions();
 
         // Restriction related to this ability