diff --git a/src/plugins/debugger/watchhandler.cpp b/src/plugins/debugger/watchhandler.cpp
index d369c40e8b7..ff50016f3a6 100644
--- a/src/plugins/debugger/watchhandler.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/debugger/watchhandler.cpp
@@ -1056,7 +1056,7 @@ bool WatchModel::setData(const QModelIndex &idx, const QVariant &value, int role
         }
 
         if (ev.as<QMouseEvent>(QEvent::MouseButtonDblClick)) {
-            if (!item->parent()) { // if item is the invisible root item
+            if (item && !item->parent()) { // if item is the invisible root item
                 inputNewExpression();
                 return true;
             }