diff --git a/src/xrGame/character_hit_animations.cpp b/src/xrGame/character_hit_animations.cpp
index 7a429c0ca35..8b57a9fe3cc 100644
--- a/src/xrGame/character_hit_animations.cpp
+++ b/src/xrGame/character_hit_animations.cpp
@@ -66,6 +66,9 @@ IC void set_blend_params(CBlend* B)
 
 IC void play_cycle(IKinematicsAnimated* CA, const MotionID& m, u8 channel, CBlend*& blend_block, float base_power)
 {
+    if (!m.valid())
+        return;
+
     const BOOL mixin = TRUE;
     float power = base_power;
     if (blend_block && blend_block->blend_state() != CBlend::eFREE_SLOT)