diff --git a/src/core/display.c b/src/core/display.c
index c160028b2..4e6dc3f5a 100644
--- a/src/core/display.c
+++ b/src/core/display.c
@@ -4169,8 +4169,8 @@ meta_set_syncing (gboolean setting)
   if (setting != is_syncing)
     {
       is_syncing = setting;
-
-      XSynchronize (meta_get_display ()->xdisplay, is_syncing);
+      if (meta_get_display ())
+        XSynchronize (meta_get_display ()->xdisplay, is_syncing);
     }
 }