diff --git a/src/minimap.cpp b/src/minimap.cpp
index a18c86dafdb..e2bacd0abaf 100644
--- a/src/minimap.cpp
+++ b/src/minimap.cpp
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ surface getMinimap(int w, int h, const gamemap &map, const team *vw, const std::
 
 			if (terrain_info.is_village() && preferences_minimap_draw_villages) {
 
-				int side = resources::gameboard->village_owner(loc);
+				int side = (resources::gameboard ? resources::gameboard->village_owner(loc) : -1); //check needed for mp create dialog
 
 				SDL_Color col = int_to_color(game_config::team_rgb_range.find("white")->second.min());