diff --git a/include/maskfld.cpp b/include/maskfld.cpp
index 145df48a9..1ebb81229 100755
--- a/include/maskfld.cpp
+++ b/include/maskfld.cpp
@@ -781,7 +781,8 @@ bool TOperable_field::parse_item(TScanner& scanner)
 void TOperable_field::set_focus() const
 {                                                
   mask().set_focus_field(dlg());
-  _ctl->set_focus();
+  if (_ctl != NULL)
+    _ctl->set_focus();
 }  
 
 // Certified 100%