diff --git a/network_server.c b/network_server.c
--- a/network_server.c
+++ b/network_server.c
@@ -1044,7 +1044,8 @@ void NetworkServer_HandleChat(NetworkAct
 		if (ci != NULL && show_local) {
 			if (from_index == NETWORK_SERVER_INDEX) {
 				char name[NETWORK_NAME_LENGTH];
-				GetString(name, GetPlayer(ci_to->client_playas)->name_1, lastof(name));
+				StringID str = IsValidPlayer(ci_to->client_playas) ? GetPlayer(ci_to->client_playas)->name_1 : STR_NETWORK_SPECTATORS;
+				GetString(name, str, lastof(name));
 				NetworkTextMessage(action, GetDrawStringPlayerColor(ci_own->client_playas), true, name, "%s", msg);
 			} else {
 				FOR_ALL_CLIENTS(cs) {