diff --git a/simgear/scene/material/EffectCullVisitor.cxx b/simgear/scene/material/EffectCullVisitor.cxx
index 62952a9f..efac70b7 100644
--- a/simgear/scene/material/EffectCullVisitor.cxx
+++ b/simgear/scene/material/EffectCullVisitor.cxx
@@ -56,9 +56,11 @@ void EffectCullVisitor::apply(osg::Geode& node)
     }
     Effect* effect = eg->getEffect();
     Technique* technique = 0;
-    if (!(effect && (technique = effect->chooseTechnique(&getRenderInfo())))) {
+    if (!effect) {
         CullVisitor::apply(node);
         return;
+    } else if (!(technique = effect->chooseTechnique(&getRenderInfo()))) {
+        return;
     }
     // push the node's state.
     osg::StateSet* node_state = node.getStateSet();