diff --git a/src/emu/hash.c b/src/emu/hash.c
index 12f94dd1f5f..3c76b761db1 100644
--- a/src/emu/hash.c
+++ b/src/emu/hash.c
@@ -445,9 +445,9 @@ bool hash_collection::operator==(const hash_collection &rhs) const
 	for (hash_base *hash = m_hashlist.first(); hash != NULL; hash = hash->next())
 	{
 		hash_base *rhs_hash = rhs.hash(hash->id());
-		if (hash != NULL)
+		if (hash != NULL && rhs_hash != NULL)
 		{
-			if (rhs_hash != NULL && *hash != *rhs_hash)
+			if (*hash != *rhs_hash)
 				return false;
 			matches++;
 		}