diff --git a/core/src/main/java/org/geysermc/geyser/translator/level/block/entity/SkullBlockEntityTranslator.java b/core/src/main/java/org/geysermc/geyser/translator/level/block/entity/SkullBlockEntityTranslator.java
index ace4d77b8..76cdbb5a4 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/org/geysermc/geyser/translator/level/block/entity/SkullBlockEntityTranslator.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/org/geysermc/geyser/translator/level/block/entity/SkullBlockEntityTranslator.java
@@ -107,7 +107,12 @@ public class SkullBlockEntityTranslator extends BlockEntityTranslator implements
         CompletableFuture<String> texturesFuture = getTextures(owner, uuid);
         if (texturesFuture.isDone()) {
             try {
-                SkullCache.Skull skull = session.getSkullCache().putSkull(blockPosition, uuid, texturesFuture.get(), blockState);
+                String texture = texturesFuture.get();
+                if (texture == null) {
+                    session.getGeyser().getLogger().debug("Custom skull with invalid SkullOwner tag: " + blockPosition + " " + tag);
+                    return null;
+                }
+                SkullCache.Skull skull = session.getSkullCache().putSkull(blockPosition, uuid, texture, blockState);
                 return skull.getBlockDefinition();
             } catch (InterruptedException | ExecutionException e) {
                 session.getGeyser().getLogger().debug("Failed to acquire textures for custom skull: " + blockPosition + " " + tag);