diff --git a/forge-core/src/main/java/forge/item/PaperCard.java b/forge-core/src/main/java/forge/item/PaperCard.java
index 16e5d0ea8cb..7879089856c 100644
--- a/forge-core/src/main/java/forge/item/PaperCard.java
+++ b/forge-core/src/main/java/forge/item/PaperCard.java
@@ -308,6 +308,8 @@ public final class PaperCard implements Comparable<IPaperCard>, InventoryItemFro
     private String retrieveCollectorNumber() {
         CardEdition.Collection editions = StaticData.instance().getEditions();
         CardEdition edition = editions.get(this.edition);
+        if (edition == null)  // don't bother continuing - non-existing card!
+            return NO_COLLECTOR_NUMBER;
         int artIndexCount = 0;
         String collectorNumberInEdition = "";
         for (CardEdition.CardInSet card : edition.getAllCardsInSet()) {