diff --git a/poppler/Annot.cc b/poppler/Annot.cc
index dae0f62..dff5331 100644
--- a/poppler/Annot.cc
+++ b/poppler/Annot.cc
@@ -6610,7 +6610,8 @@ Annot *Annots::createAnnot(Dict* dict, Object *obj) {
           FormWidget *widget = form->findWidgetByRef(obj->getRef());
           if (widget) {
             annot = widget->getWidgetAnnotation();
-            annot->incRefCnt();
+            if (annot)
+              annot->incRefCnt();
           }
         }
       }