diff --git a/API.md b/API.md
index ca6144a..9053e6a 100644
--- a/API.md
+++ b/API.md
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ Makes a previously hidden HUD bar visible again to a player.
 It is also possible to read information about existing HUD bars.
 
 ### `hb.get_hudbar_state(player, identifier)`
-Returns the current state of the active player's HUD bar.
+Returns the current state of the active player's HUD bar. Will return `nil` if the hudbar is not initialized.
 
 #### Parameters
 * `player`: `ObjectRef` of the player to which the HUD bar belongs to
diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index b8b3440..f692e90 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -446,6 +446,7 @@ end
 function hb.get_hudbar_state(player, identifier)
 	if not player_exists(player) then return nil end
 	local ref = hb.get_hudtable(identifier).hudstate[player:get_player_name()]
+	if not ref then return nil end
 	-- Do not forget to update this chunk of code in case the state changes
 	local copy = {
 		hidden = ref.hidden,