diff --git a/src/aui/auibar.cpp b/src/aui/auibar.cpp
index b07b2ca296..72ee06218d 100644
--- a/src/aui/auibar.cpp
+++ b/src/aui/auibar.cpp
@@ -2839,7 +2839,7 @@ void wxAuiToolBar::OnMotion(wxMouseEvent& evt)
     const bool button_pressed = HasCapture();
 
     // start a drag event
-    if (!m_dragging && button_pressed &&
+    if (!m_dragging && button_pressed && m_actionItem &&
         abs(evt.GetX() - m_actionPos.x) + abs(evt.GetY() - m_actionPos.y) > 5)
     {
         // TODO: sending this event only makes sense if there is an 'END_DRAG'