diff --git a/engine/src/core/com/jme3/audio/AudioNode.java b/engine/src/core/com/jme3/audio/AudioNode.java
index 1c426b8a9..6562936bd 100644
--- a/engine/src/core/com/jme3/audio/AudioNode.java
+++ b/engine/src/core/com/jme3/audio/AudioNode.java
@@ -758,7 +758,8 @@ public class AudioNode extends Node {
         
         positional = ic.readBoolean("positional", false);
         
-        data = im.getAssetManager().loadAudio(key);
+        if (key != null)
+            data = im.getAssetManager().loadAudio(key);
     }
 
     @Override