diff --git a/src/keyboard.c b/src/keyboard.c
index 364e8048..2f0dd66d 100644
--- a/src/keyboard.c
+++ b/src/keyboard.c
@@ -226,8 +226,12 @@ keyboard_init(struct seat *seat)
 	struct xkb_context *context = xkb_context_new(XKB_CONTEXT_NO_FLAGS);
 	struct xkb_keymap *keymap = xkb_map_new_from_names(context, &rules,
 		XKB_KEYMAP_COMPILE_NO_FLAGS);
-	wlr_keyboard_set_keymap(kb, keymap);
-	xkb_keymap_unref(keymap);
+	if (keymap) {
+		wlr_keyboard_set_keymap(kb, keymap);
+		xkb_keymap_unref(keymap);
+	} else {
+		wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "Failed to create xkb keymap");
+	}
 	xkb_context_unref(context);
 	wlr_keyboard_set_repeat_info(kb, rc.repeat_rate, rc.repeat_delay);