diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/editor_actions.cc b/gtk2_ardour/editor_actions.cc
index f9ca182529..39adddb42e 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/editor_actions.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/editor_actions.cc
@@ -1428,7 +1428,7 @@ Editor::parameter_changed (std::string p)
 		}
 	} else if (p == "show-group-tabs") {
 
-		bool const s = _session->config.get_show_group_tabs ();
+		bool const s = _session ? _session->config.get_show_group_tabs () : true;
 		if (s) {
 			_group_tabs->show ();
 		} else {
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/mixer_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/mixer_ui.cc
index c8ae5f8a7e..08cbfa4dc6 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/mixer_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/mixer_ui.cc
@@ -2784,7 +2784,7 @@ void
 Mixer_UI::parameter_changed (string const & p)
 {
 	if (p == "show-group-tabs") {
-		bool const s = _session->config.get_show_group_tabs ();
+		bool const s = _session ? _session->config.get_show_group_tabs () : true;
 		if (s) {
 			_group_tabs->show ();
 		} else {