diff --git a/src/gui.c b/src/gui.c
index 0a2286b..07d7788 100644
--- a/src/gui.c
+++ b/src/gui.c
@@ -4394,6 +4394,10 @@
     win_T	*wp;
     char_u	st[6];
 
+    /* Ignore this while still starting up. */
+    if (!gui.in_use || gui.starting)
+	return;
+
 #ifdef FEAT_MOUSESHAPE
     /* Get window pointer, and update mouse shape as well. */
     wp = xy2win(x, y);