diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 823d6d3..71054c7 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -77,6 +77,10 @@ function ranks.update_privs(player, trigger)
 		player = minetest.get_player_by_name(player)
 	end
 
+	if not player then
+		return
+	end
+
 	local name = player:get_player_name()
 	local rank = ranks.get_rank(player)
 	if rank then