diff --git a/xC.c b/xC.c
index ea033e0..5d3eb67 100644
--- a/xC.c
+++ b/xC.c
@@ -16091,7 +16091,11 @@ main (int argc, char *argv[])
 
 	// The following part is a bit brittle because of interdependencies
 	init_colors (&ctx);
-	if (format_mode)  format_input_and_die (&ctx);
+	if (format_mode)
+		format_input_and_die (&ctx);
+	if (!cur_term)
+		exit_fatal ("terminal initialization failed");
+
 	init_global_buffer (&ctx);
 	show_logo (&ctx);
 	setup_signal_handlers ();