diff --git a/src/world/map.c b/src/world/map.c
index 348cca235a..874d6b06a2 100644
--- a/src/world/map.c
+++ b/src/world/map.c
@@ -416,7 +416,11 @@ void map_count_remaining_land_rights()
 	for (int x = 0; x <= 255; x++) {
 		for (int y = 0; y <= 255; y++) {
 			rct_map_element *element = map_get_surface_element_at(x, y);
-
+			// Surface elements are sometimes hacked out to save some space for other map elements
+			if (element == NULL) {
+				continue;	
+			}
+			
 			uint8 flags = element->properties.surface.ownership;
 
 			if ((flags & OWNERSHIP_AVAILABLE) && (flags & OWNERSHIP_OWNED) == 0) {