diff --git a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86VidMode.c b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86VidMode.c
index 4dd454d8b..2ae5484e3 100644
--- a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86VidMode.c
+++ b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86VidMode.c
@@ -221,6 +221,9 @@ VidModeGetFirstModeline(int scrnIndex, pointer *mode, int *dotClock)
 	return FALSE;
 
     pScrn = xf86Screens[scrnIndex];
+    if (pScrn->modes == NULL)
+	    return FALSE;
+
     pVidMode = VMPTR(pScrn->pScreen);
     pVidMode->First = pScrn->modes;
     pVidMode->Next =  pVidMode->First->next;