diff --git a/rfbplayer/rfbplayer.cxx b/rfbplayer/rfbplayer.cxx
index d2bd1d6..991fa31 100644
--- a/rfbplayer/rfbplayer.cxx
+++ b/rfbplayer/rfbplayer.cxx
@@ -339,10 +339,12 @@
       }
       break;
     case ID_PLAYPAUSE:
-      if (isPaused()) {
-        setPaused(false);
-      } else {
-        setPaused(true);
+      if (rfbReader) {
+        if (isPaused()) {
+          setPaused(false);
+        } else {
+         setPaused(true);
+        }
       }
       break;
     case ID_GOTO: