diff --git a/gfx/drivers_font_renderer/freetype.c b/gfx/drivers_font_renderer/freetype.c
index bfdd6fec58..4ae36b857e 100644
--- a/gfx/drivers_font_renderer/freetype.c
+++ b/gfx/drivers_font_renderer/freetype.c
@@ -243,6 +243,8 @@ static void *font_renderer_ft_init(const char *font_path, float font_size)
    else
 #endif
    {
+      if (!path_is_valid(font_path))
+         goto error;
       err = FT_New_Face(handle->lib, font_path, 0, &handle->face);
       if (err)
          goto error;