diff --git a/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/GameClient.java b/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/GameClient.java
index 72da551e..ee30b196 100644
--- a/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/GameClient.java
+++ b/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/GameClient.java
@@ -461,10 +461,12 @@ public class GameClient {
     }
 
     public void sendToggleTurningModePacket() {
-        if (gameKeyBind.isContinuouslyTurning()) {
-            socketThread.sendBoatAction(BoatAction.CONTINUOUSLY_TURNING);
-        } else {
-            socketThread.sendBoatAction(BoatAction.DEFAULT_TURNING);
+        if (socketThread != null) {
+            if (gameKeyBind.isContinuouslyTurning()) {
+                socketThread.sendBoatAction(BoatAction.CONTINUOUSLY_TURNING);
+            } else {
+                socketThread.sendBoatAction(BoatAction.DEFAULT_TURNING);
+            }
         }
     }
 }