diff --git a/interface/src/Application.cpp b/interface/src/Application.cpp
index 68186ea75c..fc43c0d25c 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/Application.cpp
@@ -902,6 +902,9 @@ void doInBatch(RenderArgs* args, F f) {
 
 void Application::paintGL() {
     PROFILE_RANGE(__FUNCTION__);
+    if (nullptr == _displayPlugin) {
+        return;
+    }
     auto displayPlugin = getActiveDisplayPlugin();
     displayPlugin->preRender();
     _offscreenContext->makeCurrent();