diff --git a/lib_planes/utilities.lua b/lib_planes/utilities.lua
index 6dab677..90259fe 100644
--- a/lib_planes/utilities.lua
+++ b/lib_planes/utilities.lua
@@ -128,7 +128,9 @@ function airutils.dettachPlayer(self, player)
 
     --move the player to the parent ship if any
     if extern_ent then
-        extern_ent.on_rightclick(extern_ent, player)
+        if extern_ent.on_rightclick then
+            extern_ent.on_rightclick(extern_ent, player)
+        end
     end
 end