diff --git a/eeschema/sch_base_frame.cpp b/eeschema/sch_base_frame.cpp
index c8f5c80e97..c17dae875a 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_base_frame.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_base_frame.cpp
@@ -264,8 +264,11 @@ void SCH_BASE_FRAME::CenterScreen( const wxPoint& aCenterPoint, bool aWarpPointe
 
 void SCH_BASE_FRAME::HardRedraw()
 {
-    GetCanvas()->GetView()->UpdateAllItems( KIGFX::ALL );
-    GetCanvas()->ForceRefresh();
+    if( GetCanvas() && GetCanvas()->GetView() )
+    {
+        GetCanvas()->GetView()->UpdateAllItems( KIGFX::ALL );
+        GetCanvas()->ForceRefresh();
+    }
 }
 
 
@@ -277,8 +280,13 @@ SCH_DRAW_PANEL* SCH_BASE_FRAME::GetCanvas() const
 
 KIGFX::SCH_RENDER_SETTINGS* SCH_BASE_FRAME::GetRenderSettings()
 {
-    KIGFX::PAINTER* painter = GetCanvas()->GetView()->GetPainter();
-    return static_cast<KIGFX::SCH_RENDER_SETTINGS*>( painter->GetSettings() );
+    if( GetCanvas() && GetCanvas()->GetView() )
+    {
+        if( KIGFX::PAINTER* painter = GetCanvas()->GetView()->GetPainter() )
+            return static_cast<KIGFX::SCH_RENDER_SETTINGS*>( painter->GetSettings() );
+    }
+
+    return nullptr;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/eeschema/symbol_viewer_frame.cpp b/eeschema/symbol_viewer_frame.cpp
index b1f94fd759..6496a25ba7 100644
--- a/eeschema/symbol_viewer_frame.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/symbol_viewer_frame.cpp
@@ -722,7 +722,9 @@ void SYMBOL_VIEWER_FRAME::SaveSettings( APP_SETTINGS_BASE* aCfg)
 
     cfg->m_LibViewPanel.lib_list_width = m_libListWidth;
     cfg->m_LibViewPanel.cmp_list_width = m_symbolListWidth;
-    cfg->m_LibViewPanel.show_pin_electrical_type = GetRenderSettings()->m_ShowPinsElectricalType;
+
+    if( GetRenderSettings() )
+        cfg->m_LibViewPanel.show_pin_electrical_type = GetRenderSettings()->m_ShowPinsElectricalType;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/footprint_viewer_frame.cpp b/pcbnew/footprint_viewer_frame.cpp
index ac367510f1..ddd064350c 100644
--- a/pcbnew/footprint_viewer_frame.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/footprint_viewer_frame.cpp
@@ -178,14 +178,14 @@ FOOTPRINT_VIEWER_FRAME::FOOTPRINT_VIEWER_FRAME( KIWAY* aKiway, wxWindow* aParent
     fpPanel->Fit();
 
     // Create GAL canvas
-    resolveCanvasType();
     m_canvasType = loadCanvasTypeSetting();
-    SwitchCanvas( m_canvasType );
 
     PCB_DRAW_PANEL_GAL* drawPanel = new PCB_DRAW_PANEL_GAL( this, -1, wxPoint( 0, 0 ), m_frameSize,
                                                             GetGalDisplayOptions(), m_canvasType );
     SetCanvas( drawPanel );
 
+    resolveCanvasType();
+
     SetBoard( new BOARD() );
 
     // This board will only be used to hold a footprint for viewing
@@ -794,7 +794,8 @@ void FOOTPRINT_VIEWER_FRAME::SaveSettings( APP_SETTINGS_BASE* aCfg )
     // We don't want to store anything other than the window settings
     PCB_BASE_FRAME::SaveSettings( cfg );
 
-    cfg->m_FootprintViewerZoom = GetCanvas()->GetView()->GetScale();
+    if( GetCanvas() && GetCanvas()->GetView() )
+        cfg->m_FootprintViewerZoom = GetCanvas()->GetView()->GetScale();
 }
 
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/pcb_edit_frame.cpp b/pcbnew/pcb_edit_frame.cpp
index b36ce218ae..6545b5a1ad 100644
--- a/pcbnew/pcb_edit_frame.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/pcb_edit_frame.cpp
@@ -990,7 +990,8 @@ void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::SaveSettings( APP_SETTINGS_BASE* aCfg )
         cfg->m_ShowPageLimits                 = m_showPageLimits;
     }
 
-    GetSettingsManager()->SaveColorSettings( GetColorSettings(), "board" );
+    if( GetSettingsManager() )
+        GetSettingsManager()->SaveColorSettings( GetColorSettings(), "board" );
 }