diff --git a/src/shell/panelconfigview.cpp b/src/shell/panelconfigview.cpp
index 03d883e63..ea4343f59 100644
--- a/src/shell/panelconfigview.cpp
+++ b/src/shell/panelconfigview.cpp
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ void PanelConfigView::showAddWidgetDialog()
 
 void PanelConfigView::syncGeometry()
 {
-    if (!m_containment) {
+    if (!m_containment || !rootObject()) {
         return;
     }