diff --git a/dix/getevents.c b/dix/getevents.c
index 61252c3d6..718b8ff50 100644
--- a/dix/getevents.c
+++ b/dix/getevents.c
@@ -814,6 +814,8 @@ GetPointerEvents(EventList *events, DeviceIntPtr pDev, int type, int buttons,
     ms = GetTimeInMillis(); /* before pointer update to help precision */
 
     /* Sanity checks. */
+    if (!scr) /* can happen during server shutdown */
+        return 0;
     if (type != MotionNotify && type != ButtonPress && type != ButtonRelease)
         return 0;
     if (type != MotionNotify && !pDev->button)