diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
index d370ad453..1867cf84c 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
@@ -2259,6 +2259,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
             for (CellRefList<ESM::Container>::List::iterator container = refList.begin(); container != refList.end(); ++container)
             {
                 MWWorld::Ptr ptr (&*container, *cellIt);
+                if (ptr.getRefData().isDeleted())
+                    continue;
                 if (Misc::StringUtils::ciEqual(ptr.getCellRef().getOwner(), npc.getCellRef().getRefId()))
                     out.push_back(ptr);
             }