Index: code/hud/hudescort.cpp
===================================================================
--- code/hud/hudescort.cpp	(revision 10174)
+++ code/hud/hudescort.cpp	(working copy)
@@ -557,7 +557,7 @@
 			}		
 
 			// is this a valid player			
-			if(MULTI_CONNECTED(Net_players[idx]) && !MULTI_OBSERVER(Net_players[idx]) && !MULTI_STANDALONE(Net_players[idx])){
+			if(MULTI_CONNECTED(Net_players[idx]) && !MULTI_OBSERVER(Net_players[idx]) && !MULTI_STANDALONE(Net_players[idx]) && (Net_players[idx].m_player != NULL) && (Net_players[idx].m_player->objnum >= 0) && (Net_players[idx].m_player->objnum < MAX_OBJECTS)){
 				// add the ship
 				escorts[*num_escorts].objnum = -1;
 				escorts[*num_escorts].obj_signature = -1;