diff --git a/usher/usher.go b/usher/usher.go
index 239c111..cfbbd51 100644
--- a/usher/usher.go
+++ b/usher/usher.go
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ func (u *Usher) CreateNewPrivateLobby(player *chess.Player) *lobbies.Lobby {
 
 func (u *Usher) FindExistingPrivateLobby(p utils.Passphrase) *lobbies.Lobby {
 	lobby := lobbies.GetLobbyRegistry().GetLobbyByPassphrase(p)
-	if lobby.IsFull() {
+	if lobby == nil || lobby.IsFull() {
 		return nil
 	}
 	return lobby