diff --git a/tcl/pd_menus.tcl b/tcl/pd_menus.tcl
index 7157c5e..65f3174 100644
--- a/tcl/pd_menus.tcl
+++ b/tcl/pd_menus.tcl
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ proc ::pd_menus::create_menubar {} {
 
 proc ::pd_menus::configure_for_pdwindow {} {
     variable menubar
+    if { ![winfo exists $menubar] } { return }
     # these are meaningless for the Pd window, so disable them
     # File menu
     $menubar.file entryconfigure [_ "Save"] -state disabled