diff --git a/src/sna/sna_dri.c b/src/sna/sna_dri.c
index d30c3a4b..e3bca1b1 100644
--- a/src/sna/sna_dri.c
+++ b/src/sna/sna_dri.c
@@ -725,7 +725,8 @@ sna_dri_copy_to_front(struct sna *sna, DrawablePtr draw, RegionPtr region,
 		if (flush) { /* STAT! */
 			struct kgem_request *rq = sna->kgem.next_request;
 			kgem_submit(&sna->kgem);
-			bo = kgem_bo_reference(rq->bo);
+			if (rq->bo)
+				bo = kgem_bo_reference(rq->bo);
 		}
 	}