diff --git a/src/f_finale.c b/src/f_finale.c
index 04ae1c2c6..efa680083 100644
--- a/src/f_finale.c
+++ b/src/f_finale.c
@@ -2015,6 +2015,15 @@ void F_TitleScreenDrawer(void)
 	}
 
 luahook:
+	// The title drawer is sometimes called without first being started
+	// In order to avoid use-before-initialization crashes, let's check and
+	// create the drawlist if it doesn't exist.
+	if (!LUA_HUD_IsDrawListValid(luahuddrawlist_title))
+	{
+		LUA_HUD_DestroyDrawList(luahuddrawlist_title);
+		luahuddrawlist_title = LUA_HUD_CreateDrawList();
+	}
+
 	if (renderisnewtic)
 	{
 		LUA_HUD_ClearDrawList(luahuddrawlist_title);