diff --git a/ban-cooking.lua b/ban-cooking.lua
index fdb59fbe0..7ac6f3ea3 100644
--- a/ban-cooking.lua
+++ b/ban-cooking.lua
@@ -81,7 +81,9 @@ end
 
 funcs.honey = function()
     local mat = dfhack.matinfo.find("CREATURE:HONEY_BEE:HONEY")
-    ban_cooking('honey bee honey', mat.type, mat.index, df.item_type.LIQUID_MISC, -1)
+    if mat then
+        ban_cooking('honey bee honey', mat.type, mat.index, df.item_type.LIQUID_MISC, -1)
+    end
 end
 
 funcs.tallow = function()
diff --git a/changelog.txt b/changelog.txt
index b1cefd6c4..3c4c2e13e 100644
--- a/changelog.txt
+++ b/changelog.txt
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ Template for new versions:
 - `deathcause`: added functionality to this script to fetch cause of death programatically
 
 ## Fixes
+- `ban-cooking`: will not fail trying to ban honey if the world has no honey
 - `confirm`: only show pause option for pausable confirmations
 - `confirm`: when editing a uniform, confirm discard of changes when exiting with Escape
 - `confirm`: when removing a manager order, show correct order description when using non-100% interface setting