diff --git a/x.c b/x.c
index d73152b..76f572d 100644
--- a/x.c
+++ b/x.c
@@ -1755,7 +1755,10 @@ xsetcursor(int cursor)
 void
 xseturgency(int add)
 {
-	XWMHints *h = XGetWMHints(xw.dpy, xw.win);
+	XWMHints *h;
+
+	if (!(h = XGetWMHints(xw.dpy, xw.win)))
+		return;
 
 	MODBIT(h->flags, add, XUrgencyHint);
 	XSetWMHints(xw.dpy, xw.win, h);