diff --git a/VoidLink/Stream/VideoDecoderRenderer.m b/VoidLink/Stream/VideoDecoderRenderer.m
index ce0238c8..fb08abac 100644
--- a/VoidLink/Stream/VideoDecoderRenderer.m
+++ b/VoidLink/Stream/VideoDecoderRenderer.m
@@ -847,6 +847,10 @@ int DrSubmitDecodeUnit(PDECODE_UNIT decodeUnit);
     [self setupDecompressionSession];
   }
 
+  if (_decompressionSession == nil) {
+    return kVTInvalidSessionErr;
+  }
+
   OSStatus status = VTDecompressionSessionDecodeFrameWithOutputHandler(
       _decompressionSession,
       sampleBuffer,