diff --git a/Gems/Multiplayer/Code/Source/MultiplayerSystemComponent.cpp b/Gems/Multiplayer/Code/Source/MultiplayerSystemComponent.cpp
index f628119aef..fdd7602f71 100644
--- a/Gems/Multiplayer/Code/Source/MultiplayerSystemComponent.cpp
+++ b/Gems/Multiplayer/Code/Source/MultiplayerSystemComponent.cpp
@@ -1148,6 +1148,12 @@ namespace Multiplayer
 
     void MultiplayerSystemComponent::EnableAutonomousControl(NetworkEntityHandle entityHandle, AzNetworking::ConnectionId connectionId)
     {
+        if (!entityHandle.Exists())
+        {
+            AZLOG_WARN("Attempting to enable autonomous control for an invalid entity");
+            return;
+        }
+
         entityHandle.GetNetBindComponent()->SetOwningConnectionId(connectionId);
         if (connectionId == InvalidConnectionId)
         {