diff --git a/openbox/openbox.c b/openbox/openbox.c
index 62b08db7..b5fde858 100644
--- a/openbox/openbox.c
+++ b/openbox/openbox.c
@@ -134,7 +134,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     if (fcntl(ConnectionNumber(ob_display), F_SETFD, 1) == -1)
         exit_with_error("Failed to set display as close-on-exec.");
 
-    session_load(sm_save_file);
+    if (sm_save_file)
+        session_load(sm_save_file);
     session_startup(argc, argv);
 
 #ifdef USE_LIBSN