diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/playlist_selector.cc b/gtk2_ardour/playlist_selector.cc
index 11d5d3a882..e58b69a818 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/playlist_selector.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/playlist_selector.cc
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ PlaylistSelector::show_for (RouteUI* ruix)
 
 		string nodename;
 
-		if (tr->name().empty()) {
+		if (!tr || tr->name().empty()) {
 			nodename = _("unassigned");
 		} else {
 			nodename = tr->name().c_str();