diff --git a/js/ui/altTab.js b/js/ui/altTab.js
index 779ae7b55..b39cc817e 100644
--- a/js/ui/altTab.js
+++ b/js/ui/altTab.js
@@ -106,6 +106,8 @@ const AppSwitcherPopup = new Lang.Class({
 
         this._switcherList = new AppSwitcher(apps, this);
         this._items = this._switcherList.icons;
+        if (this._items.length == 0)
+            return false;
 
         return true;
     },
@@ -375,6 +377,9 @@ const WindowSwitcherPopup = new Lang.Class({
         this._switcherList = new WindowList(windows, mode);
         this._items = this._switcherList.icons;
 
+        if (this._items.length == 0)
+            return false;
+
         return true;
     },