diff --git a/src/protocols/ssh/client.c b/src/protocols/ssh/client.c
index 4a0e6457..79f55617 100644
--- a/src/protocols/ssh/client.c
+++ b/src/protocols/ssh/client.c
@@ -150,6 +150,13 @@ int guac_client_init(guac_client* client, int argc, char** argv) {
             client_data->font_name, client_data->font_size,
             client->info.optimal_width, client->info.optimal_height);
 
+    /* Fail if terminal init failed */
+    if (client_data->term == NULL) {
+        guac_error = GUAC_STATUS_BAD_STATE;
+        guac_error_message = "Terminal initialization failed";
+        return -1;
+    }
+
     /* Set up I-bar pointer */
     client_data->ibar_cursor = guac_ssh_create_ibar(client);
 
diff --git a/src/protocols/ssh/terminal.c b/src/protocols/ssh/terminal.c
index 2076a077..b983931a 100644
--- a/src/protocols/ssh/terminal.c
+++ b/src/protocols/ssh/terminal.c
@@ -119,6 +119,14 @@ guac_terminal* guac_terminal_create(guac_client* client,
             default_char.attributes.foreground,
             default_char.attributes.background);
 
+    /* Fail if display init failed */
+    if (term->display == NULL) {
+        guac_error = GUAC_STATUS_BAD_STATE;
+        guac_error_message = "Display initialization failed";
+        free(term);
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
     /* Init terminal state */
     term->current_attributes = default_char.attributes;
     term->default_char = default_char;