diff --git a/src/tools/qml/qmlobserver/qmlruntime.cpp b/src/tools/qml/qmlobserver/qmlruntime.cpp
index 422b89f531c..1353935f978 100644
--- a/src/tools/qml/qmlobserver/qmlruntime.cpp
+++ b/src/tools/qml/qmlobserver/qmlruntime.cpp
@@ -659,7 +659,8 @@ QDeclarativeViewer::~QDeclarativeViewer()
 
 void QDeclarativeViewer::setDesignModeBehavior(bool value)
 {
-    designModeBehaviorAction->setChecked(value);
+    if (designModeBehaviorAction)
+        designModeBehaviorAction->setChecked(value);
     canvas->setDesignModeBehavior(value);
 }