diff --git a/libs/surfaces/mackie/fader.cc b/libs/surfaces/mackie/fader.cc
index 4a6c81f491..4b9da7226a 100644
--- a/libs/surfaces/mackie/fader.cc
+++ b/libs/surfaces/mackie/fader.cc
@@ -47,7 +47,8 @@ Fader::set_position (float normalized)
 MidiByteArray
 Fader::update_message ()
 {
-	if (MackieControlProtocol::instance()->flip_mode() == MackieControlProtocol::Zero) {
+	MackieControlProtocol* mcp = MackieControlProtocol::instance ();
+	if (mcp && mcp->flip_mode() == MackieControlProtocol::Zero) {
 		/* do not send messages to move the faders when in this mode */
 		return MidiByteArray();
 	}