diff --git a/src/game.cpp b/src/game.cpp
index ba28aa789..a1e2b807a 100644
--- a/src/game.cpp
+++ b/src/game.cpp
@@ -3218,10 +3218,13 @@ void Game::updateCamera(VolatileRunFlags *flags, u32 busy_time,
 	v3s16 old_camera_offset = camera->getOffset();
 
 	if (input->wasKeyDown(keycache.key[KeyCache::KEYMAP_ID_CAMERA_MODE])) {
-		camera->toggleCameraMode();
 		GenericCAO *playercao = player->getCAO();
 
-		assert(playercao != NULL);
+		// If playercao not loaded, don't change camera
+		if (playercao == NULL)
+			return;
+
+		camera->toggleCameraMode();
 
 		playercao->setVisible(camera->getCameraMode() > CAMERA_MODE_FIRST);
 	}