diff --git a/fftools/ffplay.c b/fftools/ffplay.c
index 048a4a8704..3e1be8038c 100644
--- a/fftools/ffplay.c
+++ b/fftools/ffplay.c
@@ -2605,6 +2605,11 @@ static int create_hwaccel(AVBufferRef **device_ctx)
     if (type == AV_HWDEVICE_TYPE_NONE)
         return AVERROR(ENOTSUP);
 
+    if (!vk_renderer) {
+        av_log(NULL, AV_LOG_ERROR, "Vulkan renderer is not available\n");
+        return AVERROR(ENOTSUP);
+    }
+
     ret = vk_renderer_get_hw_dev(vk_renderer, &vk_dev);
     if (ret < 0)
         return ret;