diff --git a/clients/editor.c b/clients/editor.c
index 78d10d2c..8f9eb632 100644
--- a/clients/editor.c
+++ b/clients/editor.c
@@ -639,6 +639,9 @@ editor_copy_cut(struct editor *editor, struct input *input, bool cut)
 
 		editor->selection =
 			display_create_data_source(editor->display);
+		if (!editor->selection)
+			return;
+
 		wl_data_source_offer(editor->selection,
 				     "text/plain;charset=utf-8");
 		wl_data_source_add_listener(editor->selection,
diff --git a/clients/terminal.c b/clients/terminal.c
index 274ced09..16a44954 100644
--- a/clients/terminal.c
+++ b/clients/terminal.c
@@ -2264,6 +2264,9 @@ terminal_copy(struct terminal *terminal, struct input *input)
 {
 	terminal->selection =
 		display_create_data_source(terminal->display);
+	if (!terminal->selection)
+		return;
+
 	wl_data_source_offer(terminal->selection,
 			     "text/plain;charset=utf-8");
 	wl_data_source_add_listener(terminal->selection,