diff --git a/src/spells/shipcurse.c b/src/spells/shipcurse.c
index 29e4ad8f8..4b0dd9b30 100644
--- a/src/spells/shipcurse.c
+++ b/src/spells/shipcurse.c
@@ -138,9 +138,11 @@ curse *shipcurse_flyingship(ship * sh, unit * mage, double power, int duration)
         /* mit C_SHIP_NODRIFT haben wir kein Problem */
         curse *c =
             create_curse(mage, &sh->attribs, ct_flyingship, power, duration, 0.0, 0);
-        c->data.v = sh;
-        if (c && c->duration > 0) {
-            sh->flags |= SF_FLYING;
+        if (c) {
+            c->data.v = sh;
+            if (c->duration > 0) {
+                sh->flags |= SF_FLYING;
+            }
         }
         return c;
     }