diff --git a/src/gfx_apis/vulkan.rs b/src/gfx_apis/vulkan.rs
index 5e24fc8d..59923d50 100644
--- a/src/gfx_apis/vulkan.rs
+++ b/src/gfx_apis/vulkan.rs
@@ -197,6 +197,8 @@ pub enum VulkanError {
     WaitIdle(#[source] vk::Result),
     #[error("Could not dup a DRM device")]
     DupDrm(#[source] DrmError),
+    #[error("Graphics context has already been dropped")]
+    Defunct,
 }
 
 impl From<VulkanError> for GfxError {
diff --git a/src/gfx_apis/vulkan/renderer.rs b/src/gfx_apis/vulkan/renderer.rs
index d884d76f..6613b9ae 100644
--- a/src/gfx_apis/vulkan/renderer.rs
+++ b/src/gfx_apis/vulkan/renderer.rs
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ pub struct VulkanRenderer {
     pub(super) tex_frag_mult_opaque_shader: Rc<VulkanShader>,
     pub(super) tex_frag_mult_alpha_shader: Rc<VulkanShader>,
     pub(super) tex_descriptor_set_layout: Rc<VulkanDescriptorSetLayout>,
+    pub(super) defunct: Cell<bool>,
 }
 
 pub(super) struct UsedTexture {
@@ -195,6 +196,7 @@ impl VulkanDevice {
             tex_frag_mult_opaque_shader,
             tex_frag_mult_alpha_shader,
             tex_descriptor_set_layout,
+            defunct: Cell::new(false),
         });
         render.get_or_create_pipelines(XRGB8888.vk_format)?;
         Ok(render)
@@ -996,6 +998,7 @@ impl VulkanRenderer {
         opts: &[GfxApiOpt],
         clear: Option<&Color>,
     ) -> Result<(), VulkanError> {
+        self.check_defunct()?;
         let buf = self.allocate_command_buffer()?;
         self.collect_memory(opts);
         self.begin_command_buffer(buf.buffer)?;
@@ -1025,6 +1028,7 @@ impl VulkanRenderer {
     }
 
     pub fn on_drop(&self) {
+        self.defunct.set(true);
         let mut pending_frames = self.pending_frames.lock();
         let mut pending_uploads = self.pending_uploads.lock();
         if pending_frames.is_not_empty() || pending_uploads.is_not_empty() {
@@ -1037,6 +1041,13 @@ impl VulkanRenderer {
         pending_frames.clear();
         pending_uploads.clear();
     }
+
+    pub(super) fn check_defunct(&self) -> Result<(), VulkanError> {
+        match self.defunct.get() {
+            true => Err(VulkanError::Defunct),
+            false => Ok(()),
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 impl Debug for VulkanRenderer {
diff --git a/src/gfx_apis/vulkan/shm_image.rs b/src/gfx_apis/vulkan/shm_image.rs
index 81f6e568..a21698a3 100644
--- a/src/gfx_apis/vulkan/shm_image.rs
+++ b/src/gfx_apis/vulkan/shm_image.rs
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ impl VulkanShmImage {
         buffer: &[Cell<u8>],
         damage: Option<&[Rect]>,
     ) -> Result<(), VulkanError> {
+        img.renderer.check_defunct()?;
         if let Some(damage) = damage {
             if damage.is_empty() {
                 return Ok(());