diff --git a/game_root.cpp b/game_root.cpp
index 71729ca..d36f8a8 100644
--- a/game_root.cpp
+++ b/game_root.cpp
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ Level3D *GameRoot3D::load_level_at(gd::Ref<gd::PackedScene> level, gd::Transform
     // store and add to tree at desired transform
     // if this is the first level containing a game mode currently active use it's gamemode as a prototype
     gd::Ref<gd::PackedScene> game_mode_prototype{instance->get_game_mode_prototype()};
-    bool const switch_game_mode{this->game_mode->get_scene_file_path() != game_mode_prototype->get_path()};
+    bool const switch_game_mode{!this->game_mode || this->game_mode->get_scene_file_path() != game_mode_prototype->get_path()};
     if(switch_game_mode) {
         this->set_game_mode(instance->get_game_mode_prototype());
     }