diff --git a/src/window.c b/src/window.c
index cf45e90..7415185 100644
--- a/src/window.c
+++ b/src/window.c
@@ -2184,7 +2184,7 @@ win_close(win, free_buf)
     }
 
 #ifdef FEAT_AUTOCMD
-    if (win->w_closing || win->w_buffer->b_closing)
+    if (win->w_closing || (win->w_buffer && win->w_buffer->b_closing))
 	return; /* window is already being closed */
     if (win == aucmd_win)
     {