diff --git a/include/wx/msw/menu.h b/include/wx/msw/menu.h
index 5f4c9f1853..0a56d318de 100644
--- a/include/wx/msw/menu.h
+++ b/include/wx/msw/menu.h
@@ -67,6 +67,9 @@ public:
     // menu handle and will delete it when this object is destroyed.
     static wxMenu *MSWNewFromHMENU(WXHMENU hMenu) { return new wxMenu(hMenu); }
 
+    // Detaches HMENU so that it isn't deleted when this object is destroyed.
+    // Don't use this object after calling this method.
+    WXHMENU MSWDetachHMENU() { WXHMENU m = m_hMenu; m_hMenu = NULL; return m; }
 
     // implementation only from now on
     // -------------------------------
diff --git a/src/msw/menu.cpp b/src/msw/menu.cpp
index cb6102110a..acc9e48867 100644
--- a/src/msw/menu.cpp
+++ b/src/msw/menu.cpp
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ wxMenu::~wxMenu()
     // we should free Windows resources only if Windows doesn't do it for us
     // which happens if we're attached to a menubar or a submenu of another
     // menu
-    if ( !IsAttached() && !GetParent() )
+    if ( m_hMenu && !IsAttached() && !GetParent() )
     {
         if ( !::DestroyMenu(GetHmenu()) )
         {