diff --git a/src/compositor/meta-window-actor.c b/src/compositor/meta-window-actor.c
index dcb1bd2a7..61a6e4eb7 100644
--- a/src/compositor/meta-window-actor.c
+++ b/src/compositor/meta-window-actor.c
@@ -1968,7 +1968,8 @@ build_and_scan_frame_mask (MetaWindowActor       *self,
 
   meta_shaped_texture_set_mask_texture (META_SHAPED_TEXTURE (priv->actor),
                                         mask_texture);
-  cogl_object_unref (mask_texture);
+  if (mask_texture)
+    cogl_object_unref (mask_texture);
 
   g_free (mask_data);
 }