diff --git a/src/core/ParticleSystemStarLoader.qml b/src/core/ParticleSystemStarLoader.qml
index 26689d827..1b8f5f4ae 100644
--- a/src/core/ParticleSystemStarLoader.qml
+++ b/src/core/ParticleSystemStarLoader.qml
@@ -1,60 +1,60 @@
 /* GCompris - ParticleSystemStarLoader.qml
  *
  * Copyright (C) 2014 Bruno Coudoin <bruno.coudoin@gcompris.net>
  *
  * Authors:
  *   Bruno Coudoin <bruno.coudoin@gcompris.net>
  *
  *   This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
  *   it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
  *   the Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or
  *   (at your option) any later version.
  *
  *   This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
  *   but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
  *   MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
  *   GNU General Public License for more details.
  *
  *   You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
  *   along with this program; if not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 import QtQuick 2.6
 import GCompris 1.0
 
 /**
  * A QML loader that wraps ParticleSystemStar.
  * @ingroup components
  *
  * Wrapper loading/activating a @ref ParticleSystemStarLoader only if
  * the Android systems supports fragment shaders according to
  * ApplicationInfo.hasShader.
  *
  * @inherit QtQuick.Loader
  * @sa ParticleSystemStar ApplicationInfo.hasShader
  */
 Loader {
     anchors.fill: parent
     active: ApplicationInfo.hasShader
 
     /**
      * Emits count particles from the particle emitter immediately.
      *
      * Cf. Emitter.burst
      */
     function burst(val) {
         if(active) {
             item.start()
             item.emitter.burst(val)
             stopParticleSystem.restart()
         }
     }
 
     Timer {
         id: stopParticleSystem
-        interval: item.emitter.lifeSpan + item.emitter.lifeSpanVariation
+        interval: (item && item.emitter) ? item.emitter.lifeSpan + item.emitter.lifeSpanVariation : 0
         repeat: false
         onTriggered: item.stop()
     }
     onLoaded: item.clip = clip
     source: "ParticleSystemStar.qml"
 }