diff --git a/src/bindings/capi/tvgCapi.cpp b/src/bindings/capi/tvgCapi.cpp
index 0809f5d4..40183ad1 100644
--- a/src/bindings/capi/tvgCapi.cpp
+++ b/src/bindings/capi/tvgCapi.cpp
@@ -265,6 +265,7 @@ TVG_EXPORT Tvg_Result tvg_shape_append_arc(Tvg_Paint* paint, float cx, float cy,
 
 TVG_EXPORT Tvg_Result tvg_shape_append_circle(Tvg_Paint* paint, float cx, float cy, float rx, float ry)
 {
+    if (!paint) return TVG_RESULT_INVALID_ARGUMENT;
     return (Tvg_Result) reinterpret_cast<Shape*>(paint)->appendCircle(cx, cy, rx, ry);
 }