diff --git a/src/xfce-backdrop.c b/src/xfce-backdrop.c
index f8bdc2b5..53705af2 100644
--- a/src/xfce-backdrop.c
+++ b/src/xfce-backdrop.c
@@ -1598,8 +1598,10 @@ xfce_backdrop_image_data_release(XfceBackdropImageData *image_data)
     if(image_data->image_buffer)
         g_free(image_data->image_buffer);
 
-    if(image_data->loader)
+    if(image_data->loader) {
+        g_print ("UNREF LOADER\n");
         g_object_unref(image_data->loader);
+    }
 }
 
 /**
@@ -1711,13 +1713,14 @@ xfce_backdrop_loader_size_prepared_cb(GdkPixbufLoader *loader,
         return;
     }
 
-    /* invalid backdrop? quit */
+    /* invalid backdrop? quit but don't free image data */
     if(!XFCE_IS_BACKDROP(backdrop)) {
-        xfce_backdrop_image_data_release(image_data);
-        g_free(image_data);
+        g_print ("INVALID BACKDROP!\n");
         return;
     }
 
+    g_print ("VALID BACKDROP!\n");
+
     if(backdrop->priv->image_style == XFCE_BACKDROP_IMAGE_INVALID) {
         g_warning("Invalid image style, setting to XFCE_BACKDROP_IMAGE_ZOOMED");
         backdrop->priv->image_style = XFCE_BACKDROP_IMAGE_ZOOMED;
@@ -1785,9 +1788,11 @@ xfce_backdrop_loader_closed_cb(GdkPixbufLoader *loader,
 
     TRACE("entering");
 
-    g_return_if_fail(XFCE_IS_BACKDROP(backdrop));
+    /* invalid backdrop? just quit */
+    if(!XFCE_IS_BACKDROP(backdrop))
+        return;
 
-    /* canceled? quit now */
+    /* canceled? free data and quit now */
     if(g_cancellable_is_cancelled(image_data->cancellable)) {
         xfce_backdrop_image_data_release(image_data);
         g_free(image_data);