diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/sfdb_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/sfdb_ui.cc
index 9311bf1836..6f901a5987 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/sfdb_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/sfdb_ui.cc
@@ -286,8 +286,10 @@ SoundFileBox::set_session(Session* s)
 		auditioner_connections.drop_connections();
 	} else {
 		auditioner_connections.drop_connections();
-		_session->AuditionActive.connect(auditioner_connections, invalidator (*this), boost::bind (&SoundFileBox::audition_active, this, _1), gui_context());
-		_session->the_auditioner()->AuditionProgress.connect(auditioner_connections, invalidator (*this), boost::bind (&SoundFileBox::audition_progress, this, _1, _2), gui_context());
+		if (_session->the_auditioner()) {
+			_session->AuditionActive.connect(auditioner_connections, invalidator (*this), boost::bind (&SoundFileBox::audition_active, this, _1), gui_context());
+			_session->the_auditioner()->AuditionProgress.connect(auditioner_connections, invalidator (*this), boost::bind (&SoundFileBox::audition_progress, this, _1, _2), gui_context());
+		}
 	}
 }