diff --git a/builtin/game/hud.lua b/builtin/game/hud.lua
index 4d531215d..dc7101caa 100644
--- a/builtin/game/hud.lua
+++ b/builtin/game/hud.lua
@@ -224,9 +224,9 @@ register_builtin_hud_element("breath", {
 				-- The breathbar stays for some time and then gets removed.
 				breathbar_removal_jobs[player_name] = core.after(1, function()
 					local player = core.get_player_by_name(player_name)
-					local id = hud_ids[player_name].breath
-					if player and id then
-						player:hud_remove(id)
+					local id = hud_ids[player_name]
+					if player and id and id.breath then
+						player:hud_remove(id.breath)
 						hud_ids[player_name].breath = nil
 					end
 					breathbar_removal_jobs[player_name] = nil