diff --git a/src/gui/folderwizard.cpp b/src/gui/folderwizard.cpp
index 6bb40f685d..477e1f84ed 100644
--- a/src/gui/folderwizard.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/folderwizard.cpp
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ void FolderWizardSelectiveSync::initializePage()
 bool FolderWizardSelectiveSync::validatePage()
 {
     wizard()->setProperty("selectiveSyncBlackList", QVariant(_selectiveSync->createBlackList()));
-    wizard()->setProperty("usePlaceholders", QVariant(_placeholderCheckBox->isChecked()));
+    wizard()->setProperty("usePlaceholders", QVariant(_placeholderCheckBox && _placeholderCheckBox->isChecked()));
     return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/gui/folderwizard.h b/src/gui/folderwizard.h
index 9e12d4749c..12a208bbba 100644
--- a/src/gui/folderwizard.h
+++ b/src/gui/folderwizard.h
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ private slots:
 
 private:
     SelectiveSyncWidget *_selectiveSync;
-    QCheckBox *_placeholderCheckBox;
+    QCheckBox *_placeholderCheckBox = nullptr;
 };
 
 /**