diff --git a/src/readyplayerme/meshops/mesh.py b/src/readyplayerme/meshops/mesh.py
index 6c3caf7..e528867 100644
--- a/src/readyplayerme/meshops/mesh.py
+++ b/src/readyplayerme/meshops/mesh.py
@@ -60,7 +60,11 @@ def get_overlapping_vertices(
     :param precision: Tolerance for considering positions as overlapping.
     :return: A list of grouped vertices that share position.
     """
-    selected_vertices = vertices_pos if indices is None else vertices_pos[indices]
+    try:
+        selected_vertices = vertices_pos if indices is None else vertices_pos[indices]
+    except IndexError as error:
+        msg = "Indices must be within bounds of vertices array."
+        raise IndexError(msg) from error
 
     tree = cKDTree(selected_vertices)
 
diff --git a/tests/readyplayerme/meshops/unit/test_mesh.py b/tests/readyplayerme/meshops/unit/test_mesh.py
index 7ea892e..25098d3 100644
--- a/tests/readyplayerme/meshops/unit/test_mesh.py
+++ b/tests/readyplayerme/meshops/unit/test_mesh.py
@@ -103,3 +103,12 @@ def test_get_overlapping_vertices(
     assert len(grouped_vertices) == len(expected), "Number of groups doesn't match expected"
     for group, exp_group in zip(grouped_vertices, expected, strict=False):
         assert np.array_equal(group, exp_group), f"Grouped vertices {group} do not match expected {exp_group}"
+
+
+def test_get_overlapping_vertices_index_error():
+    """Test the get_overlapping_vertices function with indices that are out of bounds for the vertices."""
+    vertices = np.array([[1.0, 1.0, 1.0], [1.0, 1.0, 1.0]])
+    indices = np.array([2, 3, -4])
+
+    with pytest.raises(IndexError):
+        mesh.get_overlapping_vertices(vertices, indices)