diff --git a/gst/imagefreeze/gstimagefreeze.c b/gst/imagefreeze/gstimagefreeze.c
index 7a287a616f..9e50bc6265 100644
--- a/gst/imagefreeze/gstimagefreeze.c
+++ b/gst/imagefreeze/gstimagefreeze.c
@@ -962,19 +962,24 @@ gst_image_freeze_src_loop (GstPad * pad)
     GstClockReturn clock_ret;
     GstClock *clock;
 
+    clock = gst_element_get_clock (GST_ELEMENT (self));
+
     /* Wait until the element went to PLAYING or flushing */
-    while (self->blocked && !self->flushing)
+    while ((!clock || self->blocked) && !self->flushing) {
       g_cond_wait (&self->blocked_cond, &self->lock);
+      gst_clear_object (&clock);
+      clock = gst_element_get_clock (GST_ELEMENT (self));
+    }
 
     if (self->flushing) {
       g_mutex_unlock (&self->lock);
       gst_buffer_unref (buffer);
       flow_ret = GST_FLOW_FLUSHING;
+      gst_clear_object (&clock);
       goto pause_task;
     }
 
     /* Wait on the clock until the time for our current frame is reached */
-    clock = gst_element_get_clock (GST_ELEMENT (self));
     base_time = gst_element_get_base_time (GST_ELEMENT (self));
     if (self->fps_n != 0) {
       clock_time =