diff --git a/src/engine/gameManager/ZoneManager.java b/src/engine/gameManager/ZoneManager.java
index f987c4d1..5d79ee2b 100644
--- a/src/engine/gameManager/ZoneManager.java
+++ b/src/engine/gameManager/ZoneManager.java
@@ -239,10 +239,10 @@ public enum ZoneManager {
         if (zone.peace_zone == (byte) 1)
             return false; // no safe zone hotzones// if (this.hotzone == null)
 
-        if (zone.nodes.isEmpty())
+        if (zone.equals(ZoneManager.seaFloor))
             return false;
 
-        if (zone.equals(ZoneManager.seaFloor))
+        if (zone.nodes.isEmpty())
             return false;
 
         //no duplicate hotZones
diff --git a/src/engine/objects/Zone.java b/src/engine/objects/Zone.java
index 69b11b0c..49415c24 100644
--- a/src/engine/objects/Zone.java
+++ b/src/engine/objects/Zone.java
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ public class Zone extends AbstractWorldObject {
     public int min_level;
     public int max_level;
     public boolean hasBeenHotzone = false;
-    public ArrayList<Zone> nodes = null;
+    public ArrayList<Zone> nodes = new ArrayList<>();
     public int parentZoneID;
     public Zone parent = null;
     public Bounds bounds;