diff --git a/MekHQ/src/mekhq/campaign/randomEvents/prisoners/CapturePrisoners.java b/MekHQ/src/mekhq/campaign/randomEvents/prisoners/CapturePrisoners.java
index d2de2d44de..822621d761 100644
--- a/MekHQ/src/mekhq/campaign/randomEvents/prisoners/CapturePrisoners.java
+++ b/MekHQ/src/mekhq/campaign/randomEvents/prisoners/CapturePrisoners.java
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ public CapturePrisoners(Campaign campaign, Faction searchingFaction, Scenario sc
         sarTargetNumber.addModifier(HAS_BATTLEFIELD_CONTROL, "Searcher Has Battlefield Control");
 
         int today = campaign.getLocalDate().getYear();
-        searchingFactionIsClan = searchingFaction != null && searchingFaction.isClan();
+        searchingFactionIsClan = searchingFaction.isClan();
 
         int techFaction = searchingFactionIsClan ? ITechnology.getCodeFromMMAbbr("CLAN") : ITechnology.getCodeFromMMAbbr("IS");
         try {