diff --git a/panda/src/audiotraits/openalAudioSound.cxx b/panda/src/audiotraits/openalAudioSound.cxx
index 86fc6e2bef..5922239a00 100644
--- a/panda/src/audiotraits/openalAudioSound.cxx
+++ b/panda/src/audiotraits/openalAudioSound.cxx
@@ -434,6 +434,7 @@ correct_calibrated_clock(double rtc, double t) {
 void OpenALAudioSound::
 pull_used_buffers() {
   ReMutexHolder holder(OpenALAudioManager::_lock);
+  if (_manager == 0) return;
   while (_stream_queued.size()) {
     ALuint buffer = 0;
     ALint num_buffers = 0;
@@ -489,6 +490,8 @@ push_fresh_buffers() {
   ReMutexHolder holder(OpenALAudioManager::_lock);
   static unsigned char data[65536];
 
+  if (_manager == 0) return;
+
   if (_sd->_sample) {
     while ((_loops_completed < _playing_loops) &&
            (_stream_queued.size() < 100)) {