diff --git a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api/mob_functions/ai.lua b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api/mob_functions/ai.lua
index d144c9bc8..3fcc15fe5 100644
--- a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api/mob_functions/ai.lua
+++ b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api/mob_functions/ai.lua
@@ -1101,6 +1101,12 @@ mobs.mob_step = function(self, dtime)
 		end
 	end
 
+	--do not continue if non-existent
+	if not self or not self.object or not self.object:get_luaentity() then
+		self.object:remove()
+		return false
+	end
+
 
 	-- can mob be pushed, if so calculate direction -- do this last (overrides everything)
 	if self.pushable then
diff --git a/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/sheep.lua b/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/sheep.lua
index 3878a2558..5be276d8f 100644
--- a/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/sheep.lua
+++ b/mods/ENTITIES/mobs_mc/sheep.lua
@@ -378,3 +378,4 @@ mobs_mc.spawn_height.overworld_max)
 
 -- spawn eggs
 mobs:register_egg("mobs_mc:sheep", S("Sheep"), "mobs_mc_spawn_icon_sheep.png", 0)
+