self.Bind(wx.EVT_ERASE_BACKGROUND, self.OnEraseBackground)
         self.Bind(wx.EVT_PAINT,            self.OnPaint)
 
         self.Bind(wx.EVT_ERASE_BACKGROUND, self.OnEraseBackground)
         self.Bind(wx.EVT_PAINT,            self.OnPaint)
-        dc.DrawBitmap(self._bitmap, 0, 0, True)
+        if self._bitmap:
+            dc.DrawBitmap(self._bitmap, 0, 0, True)