diff --git a/code/AssetLib/ASE/ASEParser.cpp b/code/AssetLib/ASE/ASEParser.cpp
index 14eb720f4..9e2d301e8 100644
--- a/code/AssetLib/ASE/ASEParser.cpp
+++ b/code/AssetLib/ASE/ASEParser.cpp
@@ -646,7 +646,9 @@ void Parser::ParseLV2MaterialBlock(ASE::Material &mat) {
                 }
 
                 // get a reference to the material
-                Material &sMat = mat.avSubMaterials[iIndex];
+                if (iIndex < mat.avSubMaterials.size()) {
+                    Material &sMat = mat.avSubMaterials[iIndex];
+                }
 
                 // parse the material block
                 ParseLV2MaterialBlock(sMat);