diff --git a/src/oldloader.cpp b/src/oldloader.cpp
index 0f39e26008..f3d394bd1b 100644
--- a/src/oldloader.cpp
+++ b/src/oldloader.cpp
@@ -1231,7 +1231,7 @@ bool LoadOldVehicle(LoadgameState *ls, int num)
 			default:   v->spritenum >>= 1; break;
 		}
 
-		if (_old_next_ptr != 0xFFFF) v->next = GetVehicle(_old_next_ptr);
+		if (_old_next_ptr != 0xFFFF) v->next = GetVehiclePoolSize() <= _old_next_ptr ? new (_old_next_ptr) InvalidVehicle() : GetVehicle(_old_next_ptr);
 
 		v->string_id = RemapOldStringID(_old_string_id);