diff --git a/buffer/src/main/kotlin/org/openrs2/buffer/ReferenceCountedExtensions.kt b/buffer/src/main/kotlin/org/openrs2/buffer/ReferenceCountedExtensions.kt
index 14dc947e..696bf5e3 100644
--- a/buffer/src/main/kotlin/org/openrs2/buffer/ReferenceCountedExtensions.kt
+++ b/buffer/src/main/kotlin/org/openrs2/buffer/ReferenceCountedExtensions.kt
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@ package org.openrs2.buffer
 
 import io.netty.util.ReferenceCounted
 
-public inline fun <T : ReferenceCounted, R> T.use(block: (T) -> R): R {
+public inline fun <T : ReferenceCounted?, R> T.use(block: (T) -> R): R {
     try {
         return block(this)
     } finally {
-        release()
+        this?.release()
     }
 }