diff --git a/forge-gui-mobile/src/forge/screens/match/MatchController.java b/forge-gui-mobile/src/forge/screens/match/MatchController.java
index 1f0e181b543..e01fbc49e0f 100644
--- a/forge-gui-mobile/src/forge/screens/match/MatchController.java
+++ b/forge-gui-mobile/src/forge/screens/match/MatchController.java
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import forge.GuiBase;
 import forge.LobbyPlayer;
 import forge.assets.FImage;
 import forge.assets.FSkin;
+import forge.assets.FSkinImage;
 import forge.assets.FSkinProp;
 import forge.assets.FTextureRegionImage;
 import forge.assets.ImageCache;
@@ -94,6 +95,9 @@ public class MatchController extends AbstractGuiGame {
             }
             else { //handle lobby players with art from cards
                 avatar = CardRenderer.getCardArt(p.getAvatarCardImageKey(), false, false);
+                if (avatar == null) { //use unknown avatar image if card image doesn't exist
+                    avatar = FSkinImage.UNKNOWN;
+                }
             }
         }
         return avatar;