diff --git a/src/cell.c b/src/cell.c
index 7af65976ceade2f4f137f5b39ae89e4e3f1db8bb..775df65df55cd5ccace8317971088d8330ef30db 100644
--- a/src/cell.c
+++ b/src/cell.c
@@ -4458,7 +4458,8 @@ struct spart *cell_add_spart(struct engine *e, struct cell *const c) {
       /* Check that the cell was indeed drifted to this point to avoid future
        * issues */
 #ifdef SWIFT_DEBUG_CHECKS
-    if (top->stars.count > 0 && top->stars.ti_old_part != e->ti_current) {
+    if (top->hydro.super != NULL && top->stars.count > 0 &&
+        top->stars.ti_old_part != e->ti_current) {
       error("Cell had not been correctly drifted before star formation");
     }
 #endif