diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/editor_ops.cc b/gtk2_ardour/editor_ops.cc
index 2d718284d2..4b00d22b28 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/editor_ops.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/editor_ops.cc
@@ -6122,7 +6122,7 @@ Editor::set_playhead_cursor ()
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (UIConfiguration::instance().get_follow_edits() && !_session->config.get_external_sync()) {
+	if (UIConfiguration::instance().get_follow_edits() && (!_session || !_session->config.get_external_sync())) {
 		cancel_time_selection();
 	}
 }