diff --git a/effects/boxswitch/boxswitch.cpp b/effects/boxswitch/boxswitch.cpp
index d69c4201ca..4b6b41c37a 100644
--- a/effects/boxswitch/boxswitch.cpp
+++ b/effects/boxswitch/boxswitch.cpp
@@ -487,6 +487,9 @@ void BoxSwitchEffect::setSelectedWindow(EffectWindow* w)
 
 void BoxSwitchEffect::slotWindowClosed(EffectWindow* w)
 {
+    if (!mActivated) {
+        return;
+    }
     if (w == selected_window) {
         setSelectedWindow(0);
     }