diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/player/BackgroundPlayer.java b/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/player/BackgroundPlayer.java
index dd70ea354..8594ca395 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/player/BackgroundPlayer.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/schabi/newpipe/player/BackgroundPlayer.java
@@ -295,6 +295,7 @@ public final class BackgroundPlayer extends Service {
         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////*/
 
         private void updateNotificationThumbnail() {
+            if (basePlayerImpl == null) return;
             if (notRemoteView != null) {
                 notRemoteView.setImageViewBitmap(R.id.notificationCover,
                         basePlayerImpl.getThumbnail());