diff --git a/python/src/deltachat/events.py b/python/src/deltachat/events.py
index 9efcc67cb..6a3198f0f 100644
--- a/python/src/deltachat/events.py
+++ b/python/src/deltachat/events.py
@@ -221,6 +221,8 @@ class EventThread(threading.Thread):
             self._inner_run()
 
     def _inner_run(self):
+        if self._marked_for_shutdown or self.account._dc_context is None:
+            return
         event_emitter = ffi.gc(
             lib.dc_get_event_emitter(self.account._dc_context),
             lib.dc_event_emitter_unref,