diff --git a/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/ability/DamageDealAi.java b/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/ability/DamageDealAi.java
index af6b3583679..f147a2015b9 100644
--- a/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/ability/DamageDealAi.java
+++ b/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/ability/DamageDealAi.java
@@ -241,10 +241,8 @@ public class DamageDealAi extends DamageAiBase {
             } else {
                 // we are about to decide to play this damage spell; if there's something chained to it, reserve mana for
                 // the second spell so we don't misplay
-                if (chainDmg != null) {
-                    AiController aic = ((PlayerControllerAi)ai.getController()).getAi();
-                    aic.reserveManaSourcesForNextSpell(chainDmg.getKey(), sa);
-                }
+                AiController aic = ((PlayerControllerAi)ai.getController()).getAi();
+                aic.reserveManaSourcesForNextSpell(chainDmg.getKey(), sa);
             }
         } else {
             // simple targeting when there is no spell chaining plan