diff --git a/terminatorlib/terminator.py b/terminatorlib/terminator.py
index f8043665..1c2f01af 100755
--- a/terminatorlib/terminator.py
+++ b/terminatorlib/terminator.py
@@ -856,16 +856,18 @@ class Terminator:
 
   def previous_tab(self, term):
     notebook = self.get_first_parent_notebook(term)
-    notebook.prev_page()
-    # This seems to be required in some versions of (py)gtk.
-    # Without it, the selection changes, but the displayed page doesn't change
-    # Seen in gtk-2.12.11 and pygtk-2.12.1 at least.
-    notebook.set_current_page(notebook.get_current_page())
+    if notebook:
+      notebook.prev_page()
+      # This seems to be required in some versions of (py)gtk.
+      # Without it, the selection changes, but the displayed page doesn't change
+      # Seen in gtk-2.12.11 and pygtk-2.12.1 at least.
+      notebook.set_current_page(notebook.get_current_page())
 
   def next_tab(self, term):
     notebook = self.get_first_parent_notebook(term)
-    notebook.next_page()
-    notebook.set_current_page(notebook.get_current_page())
+    if notebook:
+      notebook.next_page()
+      notebook.set_current_page(notebook.get_current_page())
 
   def move_tab(self, term, direction):
     dbg("moving to direction %s" % direction)