diff --git a/Unreal/PS_AI_Agent/Plugins/PS_AI_ConvAgent/Source/PS_AI_ConvAgent/Private/PS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent.cpp b/Unreal/PS_AI_Agent/Plugins/PS_AI_ConvAgent/Source/PS_AI_ConvAgent/Private/PS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent.cpp
index 9fbfe8e..10e0456 100644
--- a/Unreal/PS_AI_Agent/Plugins/PS_AI_ConvAgent/Source/PS_AI_ConvAgent/Private/PS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent.cpp
+++ b/Unreal/PS_AI_Agent/Plugins/PS_AI_ConvAgent/Source/PS_AI_ConvAgent/Private/PS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent.cpp
@@ -2060,12 +2060,18 @@ void UPS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent::OnRep_ConversationState()
 			{
 				Gaze->bActive = true;
 				// Use active speaker if set, otherwise first connected pawn.
+				// GazeTarget can be null on a late joiner if the replicated pawn
+				// reference hasn't resolved yet (actor channel not open). Skip until
+				// it resolves — OnRep fires again once the reference is patched in.
 				APawn* GazeTarget = NetActiveSpeakerPawn ? NetActiveSpeakerPawn : NetConnectedPawns.Last();
-				Gaze->TargetActor = GazeTarget;
-				Gaze->ResetBodyTarget();
-				Gaze->bEnableBodyTracking = true;
-				UE_LOG(LogPS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabs, Log,
-					TEXT("[NET-REP] Gaze ACTIVATED, TargetActor set to %s"), *GazeTarget->GetName());
+				if (GazeTarget)
+				{
+					Gaze->TargetActor = GazeTarget;
+					Gaze->ResetBodyTarget();
+					Gaze->bEnableBodyTracking = true;
+					UE_LOG(LogPS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabs, Log,
+						TEXT("[NET-REP] Gaze ACTIVATED, TargetActor set to %s"), *GazeTarget->GetName());
+				}
 			}
 			else
 			{
@@ -2704,10 +2710,12 @@ void UPS_AI_ConvAgent_ElevenLabsComponent::ApplyConversationGaze()
 	{
 		Gaze->bActive = true;
 		// Look at active speaker if set, otherwise last connected pawn.
+		// GazeTarget can be null if a replicated pawn ref hasn't resolved yet
+		// (late joiner). Don't overwrite the target with null in that case.
 		AActor* GazeTarget = NetActiveSpeakerPawn
 			? static_cast<AActor*>(NetActiveSpeakerPawn)
 			: static_cast<AActor*>(NetConnectedPawns.Last());
-		if (Gaze->TargetActor != GazeTarget)
+		if (GazeTarget && Gaze->TargetActor != GazeTarget)
 		{
 			Gaze->TargetActor = GazeTarget;
 			Gaze->ResetBodyTarget();