diff --git a/src/main/java/com/massivecraft/factions/P.java b/src/main/java/com/massivecraft/factions/P.java
index 26281734..0c10cd64 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/massivecraft/factions/P.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/massivecraft/factions/P.java
@@ -117,8 +117,14 @@ public class P extends MPlugin {
     }
 
     private boolean setupPermissions() {
-        RegisteredServiceProvider<Permission> rsp = getServer().getServicesManager().getRegistration(Permission.class);
-        perms = rsp.getProvider();
+        try {
+            RegisteredServiceProvider<Permission> rsp = getServer().getServicesManager().getRegistration(Permission.class);
+            if (rsp != null) {
+        	    perms = rsp.getProvider();
+            }
+        } catch (NoClassDefFoundError ex) {
+            return false;
+        }
         return perms != null;
     }