diff --git a/src/osx/carbon/region.cpp b/src/osx/carbon/region.cpp
index 83a2e15e12..8db684def8 100644
--- a/src/osx/carbon/region.cpp
+++ b/src/osx/carbon/region.cpp
@@ -309,6 +309,9 @@ bool wxRegion::IsEmpty() const
 
 WXHRGN wxRegion::GetWXHRGN() const
 {
+    if ( !m_refData )
+        return NULL;
+
     return M_REGION ;
 }