diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/generic_pluginui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/generic_pluginui.cc
index a885f8bfb8..5ca68db0a1 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/generic_pluginui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/generic_pluginui.cc
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ GenericPluginUI::build ()
 				= boost::dynamic_pointer_cast<ARDOUR::AutomationControl>(
 					insert->control(param));
 
-			if (c->flags () & Controllable::HiddenControl) {
+			if (c && c->flags () & Controllable::HiddenControl) {
 				continue;
 			}