diff --git a/src/mame/video/m72.cpp b/src/mame/video/m72.cpp
index 2929f35e73d..4fd2c3498b3 100644
--- a/src/mame/video/m72.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/video/m72.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // copyright-holders:Nicola Salmoria
 #include "emu.h"
 #include "includes/m72.h"
+#include "cpu/nec/v25.h"
 
 /***************************************************************************
 
@@ -346,7 +347,10 @@ WRITE16_MEMBER(m72_state::irq_line_w)
 //  printf("m_raster_irq_position %04x\n", m_raster_irq_position);
 
 	// bchopper title screen jumps around, as does ingame at times, if this isn't done here
-	m_upd71059c->ir2_w(0);
+	if (m_upd71059c.found())
+		m_upd71059c->ir2_w(0);
+	else
+		m_maincpu->set_input_line(NEC_INPUT_LINE_INTP2, CLEAR_LINE);
 }
 
 WRITE16_MEMBER(m72_state::scrollx1_w)