diff --git a/src/msw/mediactrl_wmp10.cpp b/src/msw/mediactrl_wmp10.cpp
index 1604899da8..9f1f61edad 100644
--- a/src/msw/mediactrl_wmp10.cpp
+++ b/src/msw/mediactrl_wmp10.cpp
@@ -723,7 +723,9 @@ wxWMP10MediaBackend::wxWMP10MediaBackend()
 #ifndef WXTEST_ATL
                 m_pAX(NULL),
 #endif
-                m_pWMPPlayer(NULL)
+                m_pWMPPlayer(NULL),
+                m_pWMPSettings(NULL),
+                m_pWMPControls(NULL)
 
 {
 }
@@ -746,8 +748,10 @@ wxWMP10MediaBackend::~wxWMP10MediaBackend()
 #endif
 
         m_pWMPPlayer->Release();
-        m_pWMPSettings->Release();
-        m_pWMPControls->Release();
+        if (m_pWMPSettings)
+            m_pWMPSettings->Release();
+        if (m_pWMPControls)
+            m_pWMPControls->Release();
     }
 }