diff --git a/src/apps/deskbar/BarWindow.cpp b/src/apps/deskbar/BarWindow.cpp
index cb84662778..909d70eb96 100644
--- a/src/apps/deskbar/BarWindow.cpp
+++ b/src/apps/deskbar/BarWindow.cpp
@@ -144,9 +144,16 @@ TBarWindow::MenusEnded()
 {
 	BWindow::MenusEnded();
 
+ 	if (!sBeMenu->LockLooper()) {
+ 		// TODO: is this ok?
+ 		return;
+ 	}
+
 	BMenuItem *item = NULL;
 	while ((item = sBeMenu->RemoveItem((int32)0)) != NULL)
 		delete item;
+
+	sBeMenu->UnlockLooper();
 }