diff --git a/gfx/layers/ipc/CompositorParent.cpp b/gfx/layers/ipc/CompositorParent.cpp
index 73fc5e93608..9f02377e98e 100644
--- a/gfx/layers/ipc/CompositorParent.cpp
+++ b/gfx/layers/ipc/CompositorParent.cpp
@@ -259,6 +259,9 @@ CompositorParent::AsyncRender()
   }
 
   Layer* root = mLayerManager->GetRoot();
+  if (!root) {
+    return;
+  }
 
 /*
   ContainerLayer* container = root->AsContainerLayer();