diff --git a/lib/naughty/notification.lua b/lib/naughty/notification.lua
index ba3955c9a..f01124bd8 100644
--- a/lib/naughty/notification.lua
+++ b/lib/naughty/notification.lua
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ function notification:reset_timeout(new_timeout)
 
     self.timeout = new_timeout or self.timeout
 
-    if not self.timer.started then
+    if self.timer and not self.timer.started then
         self.timer:start()
     end
 end