diff --git a/gst/gstthread.c b/gst/gstthread.c
index e21e1855f0..4c0a836536 100644
--- a/gst/gstthread.c
+++ b/gst/gstthread.c
@@ -468,9 +468,12 @@ gst_thread_change_state (GstElement * element)
 	pads = GST_ELEMENT_PADS (element);
 
 	while (pads) {
-	  GstRealPad *peer = GST_REAL_PAD (GST_PAD_PEER (pads->data));
+	  GstRealPad *peer = NULL;
 	  GstElement *peerelement;
 
+          if (GST_PAD_PEER (pads->data))
+            peer = GST_REAL_PAD (GST_PAD_PEER (pads->data));
+
 	  pads = g_list_next (pads);
 
 	  if (!peer)