diff --git a/src/kits/tracker/WidgetAttributeText.cpp b/src/kits/tracker/WidgetAttributeText.cpp
index 4ab63b8b63..a0ce072ca5 100644
--- a/src/kits/tracker/WidgetAttributeText.cpp
+++ b/src/kits/tracker/WidgetAttributeText.cpp
@@ -305,6 +305,10 @@ WidgetAttributeText::WidgetAttributeText(const Model* model,
 	fValueIsDefined(false)
 {
 	ASSERT(fColumn != NULL);
+
+	if (fColumn == NULL)
+		return;
+
 	ASSERT(fColumn->Width() > 0);
 }