diff --git a/dix/dixfonts.c b/dix/dixfonts.c
index 45d209584..e7a0f2716 100644
--- a/dix/dixfonts.c
+++ b/dix/dixfonts.c
@@ -1317,7 +1317,7 @@ doPolyText(ClientPtr client, PTclosurePtr c)
 
     if (client_state == START_SLEEP) {
         /* Step 4 */
-        if (pFont != origGC->font) {
+        if (origGC && (pFont != origGC->font)) {
             ChangeGCVal val;
 
             val.ptr = pFont;