diff --git a/3d_armor/api.lua b/3d_armor/api.lua
index 674118e..42c0c58 100644
--- a/3d_armor/api.lua
+++ b/3d_armor/api.lua
@@ -465,8 +465,8 @@ end
 
 armor.load_armor_inventory = function(self, player)
 	local _, inv = self:get_valid_player(player, "[load_armor_inventory]")
-	local meta = player:get_meta()
 	if inv then
+		local meta = player:get_meta()
 		local armor_list_string = meta:get_string("3d_armor_inventory")
 		if armor_list_string then
 			inv:set_list("armor",
@@ -478,8 +478,8 @@ end
 
 armor.save_armor_inventory = function(self, player)
 	local _, inv = self:get_valid_player(player, "[save_armor_inventory]")
-	local meta = player:get_meta()	
 	if inv then
+		local meta = player:get_meta()
 		meta:set_string("3d_armor_inventory",
 			self:serialize_inventory_list(inv:get_list("armor")))
 	end