diff --git a/gtk/gtksearchbar.c b/gtk/gtksearchbar.c
index 8104abef12..1181d48ce7 100644
--- a/gtk/gtksearchbar.c
+++ b/gtk/gtksearchbar.c
@@ -254,10 +254,13 @@ reveal_child_changed_cb (GObject      *object,
 
   priv->reveal_child = reveal_child;
 
-  if (reveal_child)
-    _gtk_entry_grab_focus (GTK_ENTRY (priv->entry), FALSE);
-  else
-    gtk_entry_set_text (GTK_ENTRY (priv->entry), "");
+  if (priv->entry)
+    {
+      if (reveal_child)
+        _gtk_entry_grab_focus (GTK_ENTRY (priv->entry), FALSE);
+      else
+        gtk_entry_set_text (GTK_ENTRY (priv->entry), "");
+    }
 
   g_object_notify (G_OBJECT (bar), "search-mode-enabled");
 }