diff --git a/src/background_client.cpp b/src/background_client.cpp
index d8466dc9..f238666d 100644
--- a/src/background_client.cpp
+++ b/src/background_client.cpp
@@ -456,9 +456,9 @@ void BackgroundClient::Self::draw_screen(SurfaceInfo& info, bool draws_crash) co
 
 void BackgroundClient::stop()
 {
+    std::lock_guard<decltype(mutex)> lock{mutex};
     if (auto ss = self.lock())
     {
-        std::lock_guard<decltype(mutex)> lock{mutex};
         ss->stop();
     }
 }