diff --git a/src/cairo-image-surface-inline.h b/src/cairo-image-surface-inline.h
index 49591073f..743d5fd3e 100644
--- a/src/cairo-image-surface-inline.h
+++ b/src/cairo-image-surface-inline.h
@@ -73,7 +73,8 @@ _cairo_image_surface_is_clone (cairo_image_surface_t *image)
 static inline cairo_bool_t
 _cairo_surface_is_image (const cairo_surface_t *surface)
 {
-    return surface->backend->type == CAIRO_SURFACE_TYPE_IMAGE;
+    /* _cairo_surface_nil sets a NULL backend so be safe */
+    return surface->backend && surface->backend->type == CAIRO_SURFACE_TYPE_IMAGE;
 }
 
 /**