diff --git a/swaybg/main.c b/swaybg/main.c
index 2fdd4220b..3124ae3d6 100644
--- a/swaybg/main.c
+++ b/swaybg/main.c
@@ -31,7 +31,9 @@ void sway_terminate(int exit_code) {
 		window_teardown(window);
 	}
 	list_free(surfaces);
-	registry_teardown(registry);
+	if (registry) {
+		registry_teardown(registry);
+	}
 	exit(exit_code);
 }