diff --git a/format.c b/format.c
index 5804869d..96b6585b 100644
--- a/format.c
+++ b/format.c
@@ -1998,8 +1998,10 @@ format_cb_pane_bottom(struct format_tree *ft)
 static void *
 format_cb_pane_dead(struct format_tree *ft)
 {
-	if (ft->wp != NULL) {
-		if (ft->wp->fd == -1)
+	struct window_pane	*wp = ft->wp;
+
+	if (wp != NULL) {
+		if (wp->fd == -1 && (wp->flags & PANE_STATUSREADY))
 			return (xstrdup("1"));
 		return (xstrdup("0"));
 	}