diff --git a/loveletter/game.py b/loveletter/game.py
index e318805..838909e 100644
--- a/loveletter/game.py
+++ b/loveletter/game.py
@@ -268,6 +268,10 @@ def is_action_valid(self, action):
         if player.hand_card == Card.noCard:
             return PlayerActionTools.is_blank(action)
 
+        # cannot target an invalid player
+        if not self._is_valid_player_target(action.player_target):
+            return False
+
         target_player = self._players[action.player_target]
         player_hand = [player.hand_card, self._deck[0]]
 
@@ -282,10 +286,6 @@ def is_action_valid(self, action):
                 (action.discard == Card.prince or action.discard == Card.king):
             return False
 
-        # cannot target an invalid player
-        if not self._is_valid_player_target(action.player_target):
-            return False
-
         # cannot mis-target a card
         if self.player_turn() == action.player_target and action.discard in Card.only_other:
             return False
@@ -304,6 +304,9 @@ def is_action_valid(self, action):
 
     def _is_valid_player_target(self, player_target):
         """True iff the player can be targeted by an action"""
+        if player_target < 0 or player_target >= len(self._players):
+            return False
+
         return PlayerTools.is_playing(self._players[player_target])
 
     def _invalid_input(self, throw):