diff --git a/zone/bot.cpp b/zone/bot.cpp
index 14acc9b57..a3dd19b2d 100644
--- a/zone/bot.cpp
+++ b/zone/bot.cpp
@@ -8159,7 +8159,25 @@ bool Bot::GetNeedsCured(Mob *tar) {
 			int buffsWithCounters = 0;
 			needCured = true;
 			for (unsigned int j = 0; j < buff_count; j++) {
-				if(tar->GetBuffs()[j].spellid != SPELL_UNKNOWN) {
+				// this should prevent crashes until the cause can be found
+				if (!tar->GetBuffs()) {
+					std::string mob_type = "Unknown";
+					if (tar->IsClient())
+						mob_type = "Client";
+					else if (tar->IsBot())
+						mob_type = "Bot";
+					else if (tar->IsMerc())
+						mob_type = "Merc";
+					else if (tar->IsPet())
+						mob_type = "Pet";
+					else if (tar->IsNPC())
+						mob_type = "NPC";
+
+					Log.Out(Logs::General, Logs::Error, "Bot::GetNeedsCured() processed mob type '%s' with a null buffs pointer (mob: '%s')", mob_type.c_str(), tar->GetName());
+
+					continue;
+				}
+				else if(tar->GetBuffs()[j].spellid != SPELL_UNKNOWN) {
 					if(CalculateCounters(tar->GetBuffs()[j].spellid) > 0) {
 						buffsWithCounters++;
 						if(buffsWithCounters == 1 && (tar->GetBuffs()[j].ticsremaining < 2 || (int32)((tar->GetBuffs()[j].ticsremaining * 6) / tar->GetBuffs()[j].counters) < 2)) {