diff --git a/minigame_manager.lua b/minigame_manager.lua
index 0725f3a..51a9648 100644
--- a/minigame_manager.lua
+++ b/minigame_manager.lua
@@ -21,8 +21,10 @@ end
 local function sumo_remove_controls_hud(p_name)
     player = minetest.get_player_by_name(p_name)
     if not player then return end
-    player:hud_remove(huds[p_name].controls)
-    -- huds[p_name].controls = nil
+    if huds[p_name] then
+        player:hud_remove(huds[p_name].controls)
+        huds[p_name].controls = nil
+    end
 end
 
 local function sumo_set_attribute_lives(arena, pl_name)