diff --git a/scene/3d/mesh_instance.cpp b/scene/3d/mesh_instance.cpp
index 5dbc96b788e..1e6886c148e 100644
--- a/scene/3d/mesh_instance.cpp
+++ b/scene/3d/mesh_instance.cpp
@@ -701,6 +701,7 @@ bool MeshInstance::is_software_skinning_transform_normals_enabled() const {
 }
 
 void MeshInstance::_mesh_changed() {
+	ERR_FAIL_COND(mesh.is_null());
 	materials.resize(mesh->get_surface_count());
 
 	if (software_skinning) {