diff --git a/gtk/gtkpaned.c b/gtk/gtkpaned.c
index 7e215228a8..4d44a0729d 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkpaned.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkpaned.c
@@ -2089,7 +2089,8 @@ gtk_paned_state_flags_changed (GtkWidget     *widget,
       else
         cursor = NULL;
 
-      gdk_window_set_cursor (priv->handle, cursor);
+      if (priv->handle)
+        gdk_window_set_cursor (priv->handle, cursor);
 
       if (cursor)
         g_object_unref (cursor);