diff --git a/core/src/io/anuke/mindustry/core/Renderer.java b/core/src/io/anuke/mindustry/core/Renderer.java
index 6041017533..c3005cbe79 100644
--- a/core/src/io/anuke/mindustry/core/Renderer.java
+++ b/core/src/io/anuke/mindustry/core/Renderer.java
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ public class Renderer implements ApplicationListener{
         draw(playerGroup, p -> true, Player::drawBuildRequests);
 
         if(Entities.countInBounds(shieldGroup) > 0){
-            if(settings.getBool("animatedshields")){
+            if(settings.getBool("animatedshields") && Shaders.shield != null){
                 Draw.flush();
                 shieldBuffer.begin();
                 graphics.clear(Color.CLEAR);
diff --git a/core/src/io/anuke/mindustry/graphics/Shaders.java b/core/src/io/anuke/mindustry/graphics/Shaders.java
index 4aa6f02754..afa94cd6ec 100644
--- a/core/src/io/anuke/mindustry/graphics/Shaders.java
+++ b/core/src/io/anuke/mindustry/graphics/Shaders.java
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 package io.anuke.mindustry.graphics;
 
+import io.anuke.annotations.Annotations.*;
 import io.anuke.arc.Core;
 import io.anuke.arc.graphics.Color;
 import io.anuke.arc.graphics.g2d.TextureRegion;
@@ -10,7 +11,7 @@ import io.anuke.arc.util.Time;
 public class Shaders{
     public static Shadow shadow;
     public static BlockBuild blockbuild;
-    public static Shield shield;
+    public static @Nullable Shield shield;
     public static UnitBuild build;
     public static FogShader fog;
     public static MenuShader menu;
@@ -19,7 +20,13 @@ public class Shaders{
     public static void init(){
         shadow = new Shadow();
         blockbuild = new BlockBuild();
-        shield = new Shield();
+        try{
+            shield = new Shield();
+        }catch(Throwable t){
+            //don't load shield shader
+            shield = null;
+            t.printStackTrace();
+        }
         build = new UnitBuild();
         fog = new FogShader();
         menu = new MenuShader();
diff --git a/core/src/io/anuke/mindustry/ui/dialogs/SettingsMenuDialog.java b/core/src/io/anuke/mindustry/ui/dialogs/SettingsMenuDialog.java
index 19fbf6a4d3..21cd40a5dd 100644
--- a/core/src/io/anuke/mindustry/ui/dialogs/SettingsMenuDialog.java
+++ b/core/src/io/anuke/mindustry/ui/dialogs/SettingsMenuDialog.java
@@ -241,7 +241,9 @@ public class SettingsMenuDialog extends SettingsDialog{
         graphics.checkPref("fps", false);
         graphics.checkPref("indicators", true);
         graphics.checkPref("animatedwater", false);
-        graphics.checkPref("animatedshields", !mobile);
+        if(Shaders.shield != null){
+            graphics.checkPref("animatedshields", !mobile);
+        }
         graphics.checkPref("bloom", false, val -> renderer.toggleBloom(val));
         graphics.checkPref("lasers", true);
         graphics.checkPref("pixelate", false);