diff --git a/layout.c b/layout.c
index f974e10d..86d307ef 100644
--- a/layout.c
+++ b/layout.c
@@ -414,9 +414,9 @@ layout_destroy_cell(struct window *w, struct layout_cell *lc,
 		lcother = TAILQ_NEXT(lc, entry);
 	else
 		lcother = TAILQ_PREV(lc, layout_cells, entry);
-	if (lcparent->type == LAYOUT_LEFTRIGHT)
+	if (lcother != NULL && lcparent->type == LAYOUT_LEFTRIGHT)
 		layout_resize_adjust(w, lcother, lcparent->type, lc->sx + 1);
-	else
+	else if (lcother != NULL)
 		layout_resize_adjust(w, lcother, lcparent->type, lc->sy + 1);
 
 	/* Remove this from the parent's list. */