diff --git a/code/modules/client/preferences.dm b/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
index fe32f251f9bb..3fd4045b6243 100644
--- a/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
+++ b/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
@@ -372,6 +372,8 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(preferences_datums)
 			continue
 
 		value_cache -= preference.type
+		if(!parent || QDELETED(parent))
+			return
 		preference.apply_to_client(parent, read_preference(preference.type))
 
 /// A preview of a character for use in the preferences menu