diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 92ad28e..0f0bb80 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ repositories {
 
 apply plugin: 'net.minecraftforge.gradle.forge'
 
-version = "1.5.0"
+version = "1.5.1"
 group= "gigaherz.survivalist" // http://maven.apache.org/guides/mini/guide-naming-conventions.html
 archivesBaseName = "Survivalist-1.10.2"
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/gigaherz/survivalist/chopblock/BlockChopping.java b/src/main/java/gigaherz/survivalist/chopblock/BlockChopping.java
index adca5fb..d5ba6d5 100644
--- a/src/main/java/gigaherz/survivalist/chopblock/BlockChopping.java
+++ b/src/main/java/gigaherz/survivalist/chopblock/BlockChopping.java
@@ -148,9 +148,8 @@ public void onBlockClicked(World worldIn, BlockPos pos, EntityPlayer playerIn)
         {
             TileChopping chopper = (TileChopping) tileentity;
             ItemStack heldItem = playerIn.getHeldItem(EnumHand.MAIN_HAND);
-            assert heldItem != null;
 
-            int harvestLevel = heldItem.getItem().getHarvestLevel(heldItem, "axe");
+            int harvestLevel = heldItem != null ? heldItem.getItem().getHarvestLevel(heldItem, "axe") : -1;
             if (harvestLevel >= 0)
             {
                 if (chopper.chop(playerIn, harvestLevel, EnchantmentHelper.getEnchantmentLevel(Enchantments.FORTUNE, heldItem)))