diff --git a/BizHawk.Client.EmuHawk/tools/Watch/RamWatch.cs b/BizHawk.Client.EmuHawk/tools/Watch/RamWatch.cs
index a527d58f51..f9beeb0555 100644
--- a/BizHawk.Client.EmuHawk/tools/Watch/RamWatch.cs
+++ b/BizHawk.Client.EmuHawk/tools/Watch/RamWatch.cs
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ namespace BizHawk.Client.EmuHawk
 				return;
 			}
 
-			if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_watches.CurrentFileName))
+			if (_watches != null && !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_watches.CurrentFileName))
 			{
 				_watches.RefreshDomans(_core, _core.MemoryDomains.MainMemory);
 				_watches.Reload();