diff --git a/src/servers/app/ScreenConfigurations.cpp b/src/servers/app/ScreenConfigurations.cpp
index 386c8cd216..36656d532d 100644
--- a/src/servers/app/ScreenConfigurations.cpp
+++ b/src/servers/app/ScreenConfigurations.cpp
@@ -157,6 +157,10 @@ float
 ScreenConfigurations::Brightness(int32 id)
 {
 	screen_configuration* configuration = fConfigurations.ItemAt(0);
+
+	if (configuration == NULL)
+		return -1;
+
 	return configuration->brightness;
 }