diff --git a/src/kits/media/MediaFile.cpp b/src/kits/media/MediaFile.cpp
index 56bcc1d76b..9143a8373c 100644
--- a/src/kits/media/MediaFile.cpp
+++ b/src/kits/media/MediaFile.cpp
@@ -80,6 +80,9 @@ BMediaFile::SetTo(const entry_ref* ref)
 {
 	CALLED();
 
+	if (ref == NULL)
+		return B_BAD_VALUE;
+
 	_UnInit();
 	fDeleteSource = true;
 	_InitReader(new (std::nothrow) BFile(ref, O_RDONLY));
@@ -93,6 +96,9 @@ BMediaFile::SetTo(BDataIO* destination)
 {
 	CALLED();
 
+	if (destination == NULL)
+		return B_BAD_VALUE;
+
 	_UnInit();
 	_InitReader(destination);