diff --git a/src/d_main.cpp b/src/d_main.cpp
index e328a4c8b8..7230128383 100644
--- a/src/d_main.cpp
+++ b/src/d_main.cpp
@@ -1039,7 +1039,7 @@ void D_Display ()
 		CT_Drawer ();
 
 		// draw pause pic
-		if ((paused || pauseext) && menuactive == MENU_Off)
+		if ((paused || pauseext) && menuactive == MENU_Off && StatusBar != nullptr)
 		{
 			// [MK] optionally let the status bar handle this
 			bool skip = false;