diff --git a/cmd/micro/micro.go b/cmd/micro/micro.go
index f62e51ec..22a3d6f4 100644
--- a/cmd/micro/micro.go
+++ b/cmd/micro/micro.go
@@ -408,7 +408,9 @@ func main() {
 	// Here is the event loop which runs in a separate thread
 	go func() {
 		for {
-			events <- screen.PollEvent()
+			if screen != nil {
+				events <- screen.PollEvent()
+			}
 		}
 	}()