diff --git a/src/main/java/com/thebrokenrail/herobrine/entity/HerobrineEntity.java b/src/main/java/com/thebrokenrail/herobrine/entity/HerobrineEntity.java
index 65239ba..3e78748 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/thebrokenrail/herobrine/entity/HerobrineEntity.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/thebrokenrail/herobrine/entity/HerobrineEntity.java
@@ -198,7 +198,8 @@ public class HerobrineEntity extends LivingEntity implements Monster {
                 reset = true;
                 List<? extends PlayerEntity> players = getEntityWorld().getPlayers();
                 Collections.shuffle(players);
-                if (players.size() > 0 || getNearestPlayer().distanceTo(this) >= HardcodedConfig.HEROBRINE_MAX_DISTANCE) {
+                PlayerentityPlayerentity nearest = getNearestPlayer();
+                if (players.size() > 0 || nearest == null || nearest.distanceTo(this) >= HardcodedConfig.HEROBRINE_MAX_DISTANCE) {
                     for (PlayerEntity player : players) {
                         if (player.isAlive()) {
                             getAI().setStage(new TeleportStage(this, player.getUuid()));