--- a\src\win\iupwin_tabs.c	Mon Dec 11 14:52:42 2017
+++ b\src\win\iupwin_tabs.c	Wed Jan 24 23:11:36 2018
@@ -436,11 +436,15 @@
   {
   case WM_ERASEBKGND:
     {
-      RECT rect;
-      HDC hDC = (HDC)wp;
       Ihandle* ih = iupwinHandleGet(hWnd);
-      GetClientRect(ih->handle, &rect); 
-      winTabsDrawPageBackground(ih, hDC, &rect);
+      if (ih)
+      {
+         RECT rect;
+         HDC hDC = (HDC)wp;
+
+         GetClientRect(ih->handle, &rect); 
+         winTabsDrawPageBackground(ih, hDC, &rect);
+      }
 
       /* return non zero value */
       return 1;