diff --git a/src/economy.c b/src/economy.c
index 6938be4c3..60bea437d 100644
--- a/src/economy.c
+++ b/src/economy.c
@@ -634,7 +634,7 @@ int give_control_cmd(unit * u, order * ord)
     getunit(r, u->faction, &u2);
 
     s = getstrtoken();
-    if (isparam(s, u->faction->locale, P_CONTROL)) {
+    if (s && isparam(s, u->faction->locale, P_CONTROL)) {
         message *msg = 0;
 
         if (!can_give_to(u, u2)) {