diff --git a/search.lua b/search.lua
index 4166cebc89705ee4d2a6ab66cd24f0ede81cd37c..87cbf19a6ac08bd5036bb579751d593a8c21e6ff 100644
--- a/search.lua
+++ b/search.lua
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ minetest.register_on_player_receive_fields(function(player, formname, fields)
 	end
 
 	local item = selected_item_data[playername]
+	if not item then
+		return
+	end
 
 	if fields.teleport then
 		if not minetest.check_player_privs(playername, "teleport") then