diff --git a/src/main/java/org/bukkit/craftbukkit/inventory/CraftMetaSkull.java b/src/main/java/org/bukkit/craftbukkit/inventory/CraftMetaSkull.java
index ce9902544b..8355d6caf4 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/bukkit/craftbukkit/inventory/CraftMetaSkull.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/bukkit/craftbukkit/inventory/CraftMetaSkull.java
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ class CraftMetaSkull extends CraftMetaItem implements SkullMeta {
     void applyToItem(NBTTagCompound tag) {
         super.applyToItem(tag);
 
-        if (hasOwner()) {
+        if (profile != null) {
             NBTTagCompound owner = new NBTTagCompound();
             GameProfileSerializer.serialize(owner, profile);
             tag.set(SKULL_OWNER.NBT, owner);