diff --git a/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/ability/AbilityUtils.java b/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/ability/AbilityUtils.java
index 91a99cef24e..a00ed14bb5e 100644
--- a/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/ability/AbilityUtils.java
+++ b/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/ability/AbilityUtils.java
@@ -1518,7 +1518,7 @@ public class AbilityUtils {
     }
 
     public static final String applyAbilityTextChangeEffects(final String def, final CardTraitBase ability) {
-        if (!ability.isIntrinsic()) {
+        if (ability == null || !ability.isIntrinsic()) {
             return def;
         }
         return applyTextChangeEffects(def, ability.getHostCard());