diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/activators.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/activators.cpp
index 20b7865f5..1a743cad5 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/activators.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/activators.cpp
@@ -12,10 +12,11 @@ Activators::Activators()
 {
 }
 
-void Activators::addActivator (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr)
+void Activators::addActivator(const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr)
 {
     MWRender::Animation *anim = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getAnimation(ptr);
-    mActivators.insert(std::make_pair(ptr, CharacterController(ptr, anim, CharState_Idle, true)));
+    if(anim != NULL)
+        mActivators.insert(std::make_pair(ptr, CharacterController(ptr, anim, CharState_Idle, true)));
 }
 
 void Activators::removeActivator (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr)
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/activators.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/activators.hpp
index 5c3eba220..0b9e984aa 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/activators.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/activators.hpp
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         Activators();
 
         void addActivator (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr);
-        ///< Register an activator
+        ///< Register an animated activator
 
         void removeActivator (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr);
         ///< Deregister an activator