diff --git a/src/generic/animateg.cpp b/src/generic/animateg.cpp
index dbdc6665d1..f69ba2dd86 100644
--- a/src/generic/animateg.cpp
+++ b/src/generic/animateg.cpp
@@ -583,7 +583,8 @@ void wxAnimationCtrl::DisposeToBackground()
     // clear the backing store
     wxMemoryDC dc;
     dc.SelectObject(m_backingStore);
-    DisposeToBackground(dc);
+    if ( dc.IsOk() )
+        DisposeToBackground(dc);
 }
 
 void wxAnimationCtrl::DisposeToBackground(wxDC& dc)