diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
index 98af121a5e..ef00315cbb 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
@@ -1337,6 +1337,12 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
     void World::adjustPosition(const Ptr &ptr, bool force)
     {
+        if (ptr.isEmpty())
+        {
+            Log(Debug::Warning) << "Unable to adjust position for empty object";
+            return;
+        }
+
         osg::Vec3f pos (ptr.getRefData().getPosition().asVec3());
 
         if(!ptr.getRefData().getBaseNode())
@@ -1345,6 +1351,12 @@ namespace MWWorld
             return;
         }
 
+        if (!ptr.isInCell())
+        {
+            Log(Debug::Warning) << "Unable to adjust position for object '" << ptr.getCellRef().getRefId() << "' - it has no cell";
+            return;
+        }
+
         const float terrainHeight = ptr.getCell()->isExterior() ? getTerrainHeightAt(pos) : -std::numeric_limits<float>::max();
         pos.z() = std::max(pos.z(), terrainHeight) + 20; // place slightly above terrain. will snap down to ground with code below