diff --git a/Projects/UOContent/Items/Skill Items/Musical Instruments/BaseInstrument.cs b/Projects/UOContent/Items/Skill Items/Musical Instruments/BaseInstrument.cs
index 27f87d889..7a3f94c2d 100644
--- a/Projects/UOContent/Items/Skill Items/Musical Instruments/BaseInstrument.cs	
+++ b/Projects/UOContent/Items/Skill Items/Musical Instruments/BaseInstrument.cs	
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ namespace Server.Items
 
     public static bool IsPoisonImmune(BaseCreature bc) => bc?.PoisonImmune != null;
 
-    public static int GetPoisonLevel(BaseCreature bc) => (bc?.HitPoison.Level ?? -1) + 1;
+    public static int GetPoisonLevel(BaseCreature bc) => (bc?.HitPoison?.Level ?? -1) + 1;
 
     public static double GetBaseDifficulty(Mobile targ)
     {