diff --git a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86VidMode.c b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86VidMode.c
index d855bd1..2af8c00 100644
--- a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86VidMode.c
+++ b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86VidMode.c
@@ -226,6 +226,9 @@ VidModeGetFirstModeline(int scrnIndex, pointer *mode, int *dotClock)
 
     pScrn = xf86Screens[scrnIndex];
     pVidMode = VMPTR(pScrn->pScreen);
+    if (pVidMode->modes == NULL)
+        return FALSE;
+
     pVidMode->First = pScrn->modes;
     pVidMode->Next =  pVidMode->First->next;