diff --git a/src/autocmd.c b/src/autocmd.c
index bce57cb..8380f8a 100644
--- a/src/autocmd.c
+++ b/src/autocmd.c
@@ -3391,6 +3391,9 @@
 	{
 	    char_u	*group_name;
 
+	    if (ap->pat == NULL)		// pattern has been removed
+		continue;
+
 	    if (group != AUGROUP_ALL && group != ap->group)
 		continue;