diff --git a/src/CxbxKrnl/EmuDSoundInline.hpp b/src/CxbxKrnl/EmuDSoundInline.hpp
index 52ab82c14..d3be8e519 100644
--- a/src/CxbxKrnl/EmuDSoundInline.hpp
+++ b/src/CxbxKrnl/EmuDSoundInline.hpp
@@ -816,7 +816,10 @@ inline HRESULT HybridDirectSound3DBuffer_SetConeOrientation(
 
     enterCriticalSection;
 
-    HRESULT hRet = pDS3DBuffer->SetConeOrientation(x, y, z, dwApply);
+    HRESULT hRet = DS_OK;
+    if (pDS3DBuffer != nullptr) {
+        hRet = pDS3DBuffer->SetConeOrientation(x, y, z, dwApply);
+    }
 
     leaveCriticalSection;