diff --git a/libraries/Ticker/src/Ticker.cpp b/libraries/Ticker/src/Ticker.cpp
index 2002016e258..629361b2dd0 100644
--- a/libraries/Ticker/src/Ticker.cpp
+++ b/libraries/Ticker/src/Ticker.cpp
@@ -58,5 +58,6 @@ void Ticker::detach() {
 }
 
 bool Ticker::active() {
+  if (!_timer) return false;
   return esp_timer_is_active(_timer);
 }