diff --git a/lib/naughty.lua.in b/lib/naughty.lua.in
index de4880ea..310ab4b4 100644
--- a/lib/naughty.lua.in
+++ b/lib/naughty.lua.in
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ end
 -- @param notification Notification object to be destroyed
 -- @return True if the popup was successfully destroyed, nil otherwise
 function destroy(notification)
-    if notification then
+    if notification and notification.box.screen then
         local scr = notification.box.screen
         table.remove(notifications[notification.box.screen][notification.position], notification.idx)
         hooks.timer.unregister(notification.die)