diff --git a/gtk/packet_win.c b/gtk/packet_win.c
index 6c9e6ca092..0c1646955f 100644
--- a/gtk/packet_win.c
+++ b/gtk/packet_win.c
@@ -131,6 +131,11 @@ void new_window_cb(GtkWidget *w _U_)
   struct PacketWinData *DataPtr;
   int i;
 
+  if (!cfile.current_frame) {
+    /* nothing has been captured so far */
+    return;
+  }
+
 #ifdef NEW_PACKET_LIST
   int err;
   gchar *err_info;