diff --git a/rootston/cursor.c b/rootston/cursor.c
index 55b145e2b..1cf817042 100644
--- a/rootston/cursor.c
+++ b/rootston/cursor.c
@@ -273,7 +273,9 @@ static void roots_cursor_press_button(struct roots_cursor *cursor,
 			}
 			break;
 		case WLR_BUTTON_PRESSED:
-			roots_seat_set_focus(seat, view);
+			if (view) {
+				roots_seat_set_focus(seat, view);
+			}
 			if (surface && wlr_surface_is_layer_surface(surface)) {
 				struct wlr_layer_surface *layer =
 					wlr_layer_surface_from_wlr_surface(surface);