diff --git a/code/datums/elements/footstep.dm b/code/datums/elements/footstep.dm
index d2f129c09f4..dd4656e3f31 100644
--- a/code/datums/elements/footstep.dm
+++ b/code/datums/elements/footstep.dm
@@ -155,11 +155,11 @@
 			heard_clients = playsound(source.loc, pick(source.dna.species.special_step_sounds), 50, TRUE, falloff_distance = 1, vary = sound_vary)
 		else
 			var/static/list/bare_footstep_sounds = GLOB.barefootstep
-
-			heard_clients = playsound(source.loc, pick(bare_footstep_sounds[barefoot_type][1]),
-				bare_footstep_sounds[barefoot_type][2] * volume * volume_multiplier,
-				TRUE,
-				bare_footstep_sounds[barefoot_type][3] + e_range + range_adjustment, falloff_distance = 1, vary = sound_vary)
+			if(!isnull(barefoot_type) && bare_footstep_sounds[barefoot_type]) // barefoot_type can be null
+				heard_clients = playsound(source.loc, pick(bare_footstep_sounds[barefoot_type][1]),
+					bare_footstep_sounds[barefoot_type][2] * volume * volume_multiplier,
+					TRUE,
+					bare_footstep_sounds[barefoot_type][3] + e_range + range_adjustment, falloff_distance = 1, vary = sound_vary)
 
 	if(heard_clients)
 		play_fov_effect(source, 5, "footstep", direction, ignore_self = TRUE, override_list = heard_clients)