diff --git a/src/msw/notebook.cpp b/src/msw/notebook.cpp
index 7af2dbd933..c82b42b6f0 100644
--- a/src/msw/notebook.cpp
+++ b/src/msw/notebook.cpp
@@ -386,7 +386,8 @@ wxNotebookPage *wxNotebook::DoRemovePage(int nPage)
             // for some unknown reason if the tab control shows the up-down
             // control (i.e. when there are too many pages) -- otherwise after
             // deleting a page nothing at all is shown
-            m_pages[m_nSelection]->Refresh();
+            if (m_nSelection >= 0)
+                m_pages[m_nSelection]->Refresh();
         }
 
         if ( selNew != -1 )