diff --git a/src/main.c b/src/main.c
index e8006c3..bfcc3e5 100644
--- a/src/main.c
+++ b/src/main.c
@@ -1432,9 +1432,14 @@
 		buf = wp->w_buffer;
 		if (CHANGEDTICK(buf) != -1)
 		{
+		    bufref_T bufref;
+
+		    set_bufref(&bufref, buf);
 		    apply_autocmds(EVENT_BUFWINLEAVE, buf->b_fname,
 						    buf->b_fname, FALSE, buf);
-		    CHANGEDTICK(buf) = -1;  /* note that we did it already */
+		    if (bufref_valid(&bufref))
+			CHANGEDTICK(buf) = -1;  /* note we did it already */
+
 		    /* start all over, autocommands may mess up the lists */
 		    next_tp = first_tabpage;
 		    break;