diff --git a/src/gps/GPS.cpp b/src/gps/GPS.cpp
index 87cda5c4b..025e6007b 100644
--- a/src/gps/GPS.cpp
+++ b/src/gps/GPS.cpp
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ HardwareSerial *GPS::_serial_gps = &Serial1;
 HardwareSerial *GPS::_serial_gps = NULL;
 #endif
 
-GPS *gps;
+GPS *gps = nullptr;
 
 /// Multiple GPS instances might use the same serial port (in sequence), but we can
 /// only init that port once.
diff --git a/src/sleep.cpp b/src/sleep.cpp
index 532aad519..da3e43dcb 100644
--- a/src/sleep.cpp
+++ b/src/sleep.cpp
@@ -193,7 +193,8 @@ void doDeepSleep(uint32_t msecToWake, bool skipPreflight = false)
     nodeDB.saveToDisk();
 
     // Kill GPS power completely (even if previously we just had it in sleep mode)
-    gps->setGPSPower(false, false, 0);
+    if (gps)
+        gps->setGPSPower(false, false, 0);
 
     setLed(false);