diff --git a/src/IECoreGL/PointsPrimitive.cpp b/src/IECoreGL/PointsPrimitive.cpp
index 642edd2067..190f52a72e 100644
--- a/src/IECoreGL/PointsPrimitive.cpp
+++ b/src/IECoreGL/PointsPrimitive.cpp
@@ -275,6 +275,12 @@ const Shader::Setup *PointsPrimitive::shaderSetup( const Shader *shader, State *
 
 void PointsPrimitive::render( const State *currentState, IECore::TypeId style ) const
 {
+	if( !m_memberData->points->readable().size() )
+	{
+		// early out if no points - some drivers crash otherwise
+		return;
+	}
+	
 	/*if( depthSortRequested( state ) )
 	{
 		depthSort();