diff --git a/lib/Lacuna/DB/Result/Spies.pm b/lib/Lacuna/DB/Result/Spies.pm
index 2a38fa86..aaa2b2d9 100644
--- a/lib/Lacuna/DB/Result/Spies.pm
+++ b/lib/Lacuna/DB/Result/Spies.pm
@@ -478,9 +478,11 @@ sub run_mission {
     # handle outcomes and xp
     my $out;
     if ($breakthru <= 0) {
-        $defender->$mission_skill( $defender->$mission_skill + 10 );
-        $defender->update_level;
-        $defender->defense_mission_successes( $defender->defense_mission_successes + 1 );
+        if (defined $defender) {
+            $defender->$mission_skill( $defender->$mission_skill + 10 );
+            $defender->update_level;
+            $defender->defense_mission_successes( $defender->defense_mission_successes + 1 );
+        }
         $self->$mission_skill( $self->$mission_skill + 6 );
         $self->update_level;
         my $outcome = $outcomes{$self->task} . '_loss';
diff --git a/var/www/public/changes.txt b/var/www/public/changes.txt
index 04d33d01..6fd7454d 100644
--- a/var/www/public/changes.txt
+++ b/var/www/public/changes.txt
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
  - Fix: Fighters will return home after defending (instead of doubling the travel time).
  - Fix: Fix defender's home field advantage.
  - Fix: Only one excavator is allowed in a send_fleet call.
+ - Fix: Failure of Appropriate Resources spy mission works again even if there wasn't a defender.
 
 3.0402
  - API: Changed parliament propositions and laws to use email formatting rules.