diff --git a/code/MD3Loader.cpp b/code/MD3Loader.cpp
index 93ccc4ad1..53e890590 100644
--- a/code/MD3Loader.cpp
+++ b/code/MD3Loader.cpp
@@ -1000,9 +1000,13 @@ void MD3Importer::InternReadFile( const std::string& pFile,
 
                 // Read vertices
                 aiVector3D& vec = pcMesh->mVertices[iCurrent];
-                vec.x = pcVertices[ pcTriangles->INDEXES[c]].X*AI_MD3_XYZ_SCALE;
-                vec.y = pcVertices[ pcTriangles->INDEXES[c]].Y*AI_MD3_XYZ_SCALE;
-                vec.z = pcVertices[ pcTriangles->INDEXES[c]].Z*AI_MD3_XYZ_SCALE;
+                uint32_t index = pcTriangles->INDEXES[c];
+                if (index >= pcSurfaces->NUM_VERTICES) {
+                    throw DeadlyImportError( "MD3: Invalid vertex index");
+                }
+                vec.x = pcVertices[index].X*AI_MD3_XYZ_SCALE;
+                vec.y = pcVertices[index].Y*AI_MD3_XYZ_SCALE;
+                vec.z = pcVertices[index].Z*AI_MD3_XYZ_SCALE;
 
                 // Convert the normal vector to uncompressed float3 format
                 aiVector3D& nor = pcMesh->mNormals[iCurrent];