diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index fc150f344..aa680a09e 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
     Bug #4457: Item without CanCarry flag prevents shield autoequipping in dark areas
     Bug #4458: AiWander console command handles idle chances incorrectly
     Bug #4459: NotCell dialogue condition doesn't support partial matches
+    Bug #4461: "Open" spell from non-player caster isn't a crime
     Feature #4256: Implement ToggleBorders (TB) console command
     Feature #3276: Editor: Search- Show number of (remaining) search results and indicate a search without any results
     Feature #4222: 360° screenshots
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.cpp
index f6d92726d..f1997e8d7 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spellcasting.cpp
@@ -644,8 +644,9 @@ namespace MWMechanics
             {
                 const MWWorld::ESMStore& store = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore();
                 const ESM::MagicEffect *magiceffect = store.get<ESM::MagicEffect>().find(effectId);
-                MWRender::Animation* animation = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getAnimation(target);     
-                animation->addSpellCastGlow(magiceffect);
+                MWRender::Animation* animation = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getAnimation(target);
+                if (animation)
+                    animation->addSpellCastGlow(magiceffect);
                 if (target.getCellRef().getLockLevel() < magnitude) //If the door is not already locked to a higher value, lock it to spell magnitude
                 {
                     if (caster == getPlayer())
@@ -658,15 +659,17 @@ namespace MWMechanics
             {
                 const MWWorld::ESMStore& store = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore();
                 const ESM::MagicEffect *magiceffect = store.get<ESM::MagicEffect>().find(effectId);
-                MWRender::Animation* animation = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getAnimation(target);     
-                animation->addSpellCastGlow(magiceffect);
+                MWRender::Animation* animation = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getAnimation(target);
+                if (animation)
+                    animation->addSpellCastGlow(magiceffect);
                 if (target.getCellRef().getLockLevel() <= magnitude)
                 {
                     if (target.getCellRef().getLockLevel() > 0)
                     {
                         MWBase::Environment::get().getSoundManager()->playSound3D(target, "Open Lock", 1.f, 1.f);
-                        if (!caster.isEmpty() && caster.getClass().isActor())
-                            MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->objectOpened(caster, target);
+                        if (!caster.isEmpty())
+                            MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->objectOpened(getPlayer(), target);
+                            // Use the player instead of the caster for vanilla crime compatibility
 
                         if (caster == getPlayer())
                             MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->messageBox("#{sMagicOpenSuccess}");