diff --git a/bar.c b/bar.c
index 00fa3d0..8a86c94 100644
--- a/bar.c
+++ b/bar.c
@@ -811,6 +811,9 @@ monitor_create_chain (xcb_rectangle_t *rects, const int num)
                     min(width, rects[i].width - left),
                     rects[i].height);
 
+            if (!mon)
+                break;
+
             monitor_add(mon);
 
             width -= rects[i].width - left;