diff --git a/src/bin/e_menu.c b/src/bin/e_menu.c
index d0274a715..efec21f8a 100644
--- a/src/bin/e_menu.c
+++ b/src/bin/e_menu.c
@@ -1037,7 +1037,7 @@ e_menu_item_active_set(E_Menu_Item *mi, int active)
           }
         if (_e_prev_active_menu_item && (mi != _e_prev_active_menu_item))
           {
-             if (_e_prev_active_menu_item != mi->menu->parent_item)
+             if (mi->menu->parent_item && (_e_prev_active_menu_item != mi->menu->parent_item))
                _e_menu_submenu_deactivate(_e_prev_active_menu_item);
           }
         mi->active = 1;