diff --git a/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerplugin.cpp b/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerplugin.cpp
index a71127e38f0..e0fa782c390 100644
--- a/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerplugin.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/debugger/debuggerplugin.cpp
@@ -3179,7 +3179,8 @@ QWidget *mainWindow()
 
 void raiseWatchersWindow()
 {
-    return dd->m_mainWindow->raiseDock(DOCKWIDGET_WATCHERS);
+    if (currentEngine()->state() != DebuggerNotReady)
+        dd->m_mainWindow->raiseDock(DOCKWIDGET_WATCHERS);
 }
 
 bool isRegistersWindowVisible()