diff --git a/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstgldisplay.c b/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstgldisplay.c
index 42e2d85017..63e0cc5258 100644
--- a/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstgldisplay.c
+++ b/gst-libs/gst/gl/gstgldisplay.c
@@ -449,6 +449,8 @@ gst_gl_display_thread_create_context (GstGLDisplay *display)
 
   GST_INFO ("loop exited\n");
 
+  gst_gl_display_lock (display);
+
   display->isAlive = FALSE;
 
   gst_gl_display_thread_destroy_context (display);
@@ -457,6 +459,8 @@ gst_gl_display_thread_create_context (GstGLDisplay *display)
 
   display->gl_window = NULL;
 
+  gst_gl_display_unlock (display);
+
   return NULL;
 }