diff --git a/mods/gauges/init.lua b/mods/gauges/init.lua
index d54f091..f628709 100644
--- a/mods/gauges/init.lua
+++ b/mods/gauges/init.lua
@@ -44,12 +44,14 @@ minetest.register_entity("gauges:hp_bar", hp_bar)
 
 local function add_HP_gauge(name)
 	local player = minetest.get_player_by_name(name)
-	local pos = player:get_pos()
-	local ent = minetest.add_entity(pos, "gauges:hp_bar")
-	if ent ~= nil then
-		ent:set_attach(player, "", {x = 0, y = 10, z = 0}, {x = 0, y = 0, z = 0})
-		ent = ent:get_luaentity()
-		ent.wielder = player:get_player_name()
+	if player then
+		local pos = player:get_pos()
+		local ent = minetest.add_entity(pos, "gauges:hp_bar")
+		if ent ~= nil then
+			ent:set_attach(player, "", {x = 0, y = 10, z = 0}, {x = 0, y = 0, z = 0})
+			ent = ent:get_luaentity()
+			ent.wielder = player:get_player_name()
+		end
 	end
 end