diff --git a/src/main/java/cactusServer/models/Instances.java b/src/main/java/cactusServer/models/Instances.java
index 0b46311..2832e62 100644
--- a/src/main/java/cactusServer/models/Instances.java
+++ b/src/main/java/cactusServer/models/Instances.java
@@ -110,8 +110,8 @@
 			CameraState cameraState, EmoteState.EmoteType animationClassToStart) {
 		long lastUpdateTime = System.nanoTime();
 		Player player = playerMap.get(playerId);
-		String previousCharacterID = player.getCharacterID();
 		if (player != null) {
+			String previousCharacterID = player.getCharacterID();
 			player.update(characterID, position, angle, cameraState, animationClassToStart, lastUpdateTime);
 			if (previousCharacterID.equals(player.getCharacterID())) {
 				String instanceID = player.getInstanceID();