diff --git a/src/bin/e_backlight.c b/src/bin/e_backlight.c
index 89552e3c9..c90e2ef06 100644
--- a/src/bin/e_backlight.c
+++ b/src/bin/e_backlight.c
@@ -210,6 +210,7 @@ _e_backlight_update(void)
    Ecore_X_Randr_Output *out;
    int i, num = 0;
 
+   if (!e_comp) return;
    root = e_comp->root;
    // try randr
    if (root && xbl_avail)
@@ -278,6 +279,7 @@ _e_backlight_set(double val)
         int num = 0, i;
         char *name;
 
+        if (!e_comp) return;
         root = e_comp->root;
         out = ecore_x_randr_window_outputs_get(root, &num);
         if ((out) && (num > 0))