diff --git a/src/kits/interface/GroupLayoutBuilder.cpp b/src/kits/interface/GroupLayoutBuilder.cpp
index 8fd8cc6fc3..442b43ff01 100644
--- a/src/kits/interface/GroupLayoutBuilder.cpp
+++ b/src/kits/interface/GroupLayoutBuilder.cpp
@@ -63,7 +63,9 @@ BGroupLayoutBuilder::GetTopLayout(BGroupLayout** _layout)
 BView*
 BGroupLayoutBuilder::TopView() const
 {
-	return TopLayout()->Owner();
+	if (BGroupLayout* layout = TopLayout())
+		return layout->Owner();
+	return NULL;
 }
 
 // GetTopView