diff --git a/src/shell-gtk-embed.c b/src/shell-gtk-embed.c
index 3f306136f..176b41320 100644
--- a/src/shell-gtk-embed.c
+++ b/src/shell-gtk-embed.c
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ shell_gtk_embed_window_created_cb (MetaDisplay   *display,
   Window xwindow = meta_window_get_xwindow (window);
   GdkWindow *gdk_window = gtk_widget_get_window (GTK_WIDGET (priv->window));
 
-  if (xwindow == gdk_x11_window_get_xid (gdk_window))
+  if (gdk_window && xwindow == gdk_x11_window_get_xid (gdk_window))
     {
       ClutterActor *window_actor =
         CLUTTER_ACTOR (meta_window_get_compositor_private (window));