diff --git a/ecal/core/src/pubsub/ecal_publisher.cpp b/ecal/core/src/pubsub/ecal_publisher.cpp
index b5637d5c17..67da6f2cd8 100644
--- a/ecal/core/src/pubsub/ecal_publisher.cpp
+++ b/ecal/core/src/pubsub/ecal_publisher.cpp
@@ -49,6 +49,9 @@ namespace eCAL
 
   CPublisher::~CPublisher()
   {
+    // could be already destroyed by move
+    if (m_publisher_impl == nullptr) return;
+    
     // unregister publisher
     if (g_pubgate() != nullptr) g_pubgate()->Unregister(m_publisher_impl->GetTopicName(), m_publisher_impl);