diff --git a/mods/HELP/doc/doc/init.lua b/mods/HELP/doc/doc/init.lua
index fc684246b..74d6a30a7 100644
--- a/mods/HELP/doc/doc/init.lua
+++ b/mods/HELP/doc/doc/init.lua
@@ -611,11 +611,14 @@ do
 		io.close(file)
 		if string then
 			local savetable = minetest.deserialize(string)
-			for name, players_stored_data in pairs(savetable.players_stored_data) do
-				doc.data.players[name] = {}
-				doc.data.players[name].stored_data = players_stored_data
+			local players_stored_data = savetable and savetable.players_stored_data
+			if players_stored_data then
+				for name, players_stored_data in pairs(savetable.players_stored_data) do
+					doc.data.players[name] = {}
+					doc.data.players[name].stored_data = players_stored_data
+				end
+				minetest.log("action", "[doc] doc.mt successfully read.")
 			end
-			minetest.log("action", "[doc] doc.mt successfully read.")
 		end
 	end
 end