diff --git a/src/p_tick.c b/src/p_tick.c
index a7f53b003..f2aab3aef 100644
--- a/src/p_tick.c
+++ b/src/p_tick.c
@@ -787,15 +787,20 @@ void P_Ticker(boolean run)
 		// Hack: ensure newview is assigned every tic.
 		// Ensures view interpolation is T-1 to T in poor network conditions
 		// We need a better way to assign view state decoupled from game logic
-		for (i = 0; i <= r_splitscreen; i++)
+		if (rendermode != render_none)
 		{
-			player_t *player = &players[displayplayers[i]];
-			const boolean skybox = (player->skybox.viewpoint && cv_skybox.value); // True if there's a skybox object and skyboxes are on
-			if (skybox)
+			for (i = 0; i <= r_splitscreen; i++)
 			{
-				R_SkyboxFrame(i);
+				player_t *player = &players[displayplayers[i]];
+				if (!player->mo)
+					continue;
+				const boolean skybox = (player->skybox.viewpoint && cv_skybox.value); // True if there's a skybox object and skyboxes are on
+				if (skybox)
+				{
+					R_SkyboxFrame(i);
+				}
+				R_SetupFrame(i);
 			}
-			R_SetupFrame(i);
 		}
 	}