diff --git a/src/playsingle_controller.cpp b/src/playsingle_controller.cpp
index 55c80fba163d..8343469250d1 100644
--- a/src/playsingle_controller.cpp
+++ b/src/playsingle_controller.cpp
@@ -273,8 +273,9 @@ LEVEL_RESULT playsingle_controller::play_scenario(const config& level)
 		const bool is_victory = get_end_level_data_const().is_victory;
 
 		if(gamestate().gamedata_.phase() <= game_data::PRESTART) {
-			// TODO: does this need an if-not-null check?
-			gui_->video().get_window()->fill(0, 0, 0, 255);
+			if(sdl::window* window = gui_->video().get_window()) {
+				window->fill(0, 0, 0, 255);
+			}
 		}
 
 		ai_testing::log_game_end();