diff --git a/code/AssetLib/ASE/ASEParser.cpp b/code/AssetLib/ASE/ASEParser.cpp
index 14eb720f4..0d526147c 100644
--- a/code/AssetLib/ASE/ASEParser.cpp
+++ b/code/AssetLib/ASE/ASEParser.cpp
@@ -646,10 +646,13 @@ 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);
+                }
 
-                // parse the material block
-                ParseLV2MaterialBlock(sMat);
                 continue;
             }
         }