diff --git a/OpenSim/Framework/GridInstantMessage.cs b/OpenSim/Framework/GridInstantMessage.cs
index 4ca4e67435..9cecf42322 100644
--- a/OpenSim/Framework/GridInstantMessage.cs
+++ b/OpenSim/Framework/GridInstantMessage.cs
@@ -75,9 +75,12 @@ namespace OpenSim.Framework
                 offline = 0;
             Position = _position;
             binaryBucket = _binaryBucket;
-            
-            ParentEstateID = scene.RegionInfo.EstateSettings.ParentEstateID;
-            RegionID = scene.RegionInfo.RegionSettings.RegionUUID.Guid;
+
+            if (scene != null)
+            {
+                ParentEstateID = scene.RegionInfo.EstateSettings.ParentEstateID;
+                RegionID = scene.RegionInfo.RegionSettings.RegionUUID.Guid;
+            }
             timestamp = (uint)Util.UnixTimeSinceEpoch();
         }
 
diff --git a/OpenSim/Region/Environment/Modules/Avatar/InstantMessage/InstantMessageModule.cs b/OpenSim/Region/Environment/Modules/Avatar/InstantMessage/InstantMessageModule.cs
index 1b7eb97eb5..339f1f929f 100644
--- a/OpenSim/Region/Environment/Modules/Avatar/InstantMessage/InstantMessageModule.cs
+++ b/OpenSim/Region/Environment/Modules/Avatar/InstantMessage/InstantMessageModule.cs
@@ -127,7 +127,8 @@ namespace OpenSim.Region.Environment.Modules.Avatar.InstantMessage
                 return;
             }
 
-            GridInstantMessage im = new GridInstantMessage(client.Scene,
+            IScene scene = client == null ? null : client.Scene;
+            GridInstantMessage im = new GridInstantMessage(scene,
                     fromAgentID, fromAgentName, fromAgentSession, toAgentID,
                     dialog, fromGroup, message, imSessionID,
                     offline != 0 ? true : false, Position,