diff --git a/panda/src/parametrics/parametricCurveCollection.cxx b/panda/src/parametrics/parametricCurveCollection.cxx
index 0ed6ade549..543001ee17 100644
--- a/panda/src/parametrics/parametricCurveCollection.cxx
+++ b/panda/src/parametrics/parametricCurveCollection.cxx
@@ -518,6 +518,10 @@ evaluate(float t, LVecBase3f &xyz, LVecBase3f &hpr) const {
     }
   }
 
+  if (default_curve == (ParametricCurve *)NULL) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
   if (xyz_curve == (ParametricCurve *)NULL) {
     xyz_curve = default_curve;
   }