diff --git a/src/common/platform/posix/sdl/sdlglvideo.cpp b/src/common/platform/posix/sdl/sdlglvideo.cpp
index e9ef2267c..4a419b10d 100644
--- a/src/common/platform/posix/sdl/sdlglvideo.cpp
+++ b/src/common/platform/posix/sdl/sdlglvideo.cpp
@@ -448,6 +448,10 @@ SDLVideo::SDLVideo ()
 	if (Priv::softpolyEnabled)
 	{
 		Priv::CreateWindow(SDL_WINDOW_HIDDEN);
+		if (Priv::window == nullptr)
+		{
+			I_FatalError("Could not create SoftPoly window:\n%s\n",SDL_GetError());
+		}
 	}
 #endif
 }
@@ -667,6 +671,10 @@ SystemGLFrameBuffer::SystemGLFrameBuffer(void *hMonitor, bool fullscreen)
 			break;
 		}
 	}
+	if (Priv::window == nullptr)
+	{
+		I_FatalError("Could not create OpenGL window:\n%s\n",SDL_GetError());
+	}
 }
 
 SystemGLFrameBuffer::~SystemGLFrameBuffer ()