diff --git a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/AI/AIStates.cpp b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/AI/AIStates.cpp
index e9406426a1..69608c4750 100644
--- a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/AI/AIStates.cpp
+++ b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/AI/AIStates.cpp
@@ -5096,6 +5096,10 @@ StateReturnType AIAttackFireWeaponState::update()
 
 	if (m_att->isAttackingObject())
 	{
+		// Re-validate victim immediately before firing; it may have been destroyed since the earlier check.
+		if (!victim || victim->isEffectivelyDead())
+			return STATE_FAILURE;
+
 		obj->fireCurrentWeapon(victim);
 		// clear this, just in case.
 		obj->clearStatus( MAKE_OBJECT_STATUS_MASK( OBJECT_STATUS_IGNORING_STEALTH ) );
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/AI/AIStates.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/AI/AIStates.cpp
index 6a0ccd6226..92ceeca545 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/AI/AIStates.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/AI/AIStates.cpp
@@ -5256,6 +5256,9 @@ StateReturnType AIAttackFireWeaponState::update()
     // If the concept of linked turrets is further developed then God help you, and put more code right here
     // that lookl like the //LINKED TURRETS// block, below
 
+		// Re-validate victim immediately before firing; it may have been destroyed since the earlier check.
+		if (!victim || victim->isEffectivelyDead())
+			return STATE_FAILURE;
 
 		obj->fireCurrentWeapon(victim);