diff --git a/src/kernel/save.c b/src/kernel/save.c
index b70583fc8..300555180 100644
--- a/src/kernel/save.c
+++ b/src/kernel/save.c
@@ -1346,16 +1346,11 @@ void writefaction(struct gamedata *data, const faction * f)
     WRITE_SECTION(data->store);
 
     for (sf = f->allies; sf; sf = sf->next) {
-        if (sf->faction != NULL) {
-            int no = sf->faction->no;
-            int status = alliedfaction(NULL, f, sf->faction, HELP_ALL);
-            if (status != 0) {
-                WRITE_INT(data->store, no);
-                WRITE_INT(data->store, sf->status);
-            }
-        }
-        else {
-            log_error("NULL-pointer in ally-struct for faction '%s'.", f->no);
+        int no = (sf->faction != NULL) ? sf->faction->no : 0;
+        int status = alliedfaction(NULL, f, sf->faction, HELP_ALL);
+        if (status != 0) {
+            WRITE_INT(data->store, no);
+            WRITE_INT(data->store, sf->status);
         }
     }
     WRITE_INT(data->store, 0);