diff --git a/gfx/element.lua b/gfx/element.lua
index 4c6b9cb..9c92d58 100644
--- a/gfx/element.lua
+++ b/gfx/element.lua
@@ -88,7 +88,11 @@ function Element:setFgColor(color)
   if color ~= self.fgColor then
     self:setDirty()
     self.fgColor = color
-    self:_getWindow().setTextColor(color)
+
+    local win = self:_getWindow()
+    if win ~= nil then
+      win.setTextColor(color)
+    end
   end
 end
 
@@ -96,7 +100,11 @@ function Element:setBgColor(color)
   if color ~= self.bgColor then
     self:setDirty()
     self.bgColor = color
-    self:_getWindow().setBackgroundColor(color)
+
+    local win = self:_getWindow()
+    if win ~= nil then
+      win.setBackgroundColor(color)
+    end
   end
 end