diff --git a/indra/newview/llviewerwindow.cpp b/indra/newview/llviewerwindow.cpp
index f3de5f03cde5677ac0374e14c0cba946790eb694..1e2b2c37d06f0bcbb2af83398861b0af1cb5134d 100644
--- a/indra/newview/llviewerwindow.cpp
+++ b/indra/newview/llviewerwindow.cpp
@@ -2884,7 +2884,8 @@ BOOL LLViewerWindow::handleKey(KEY key, MASK mask)
 	// If "Pressing letter keys starts local chat" option is selected, we are not in mouselook, 
 	// no view has keyboard focus, this is a printable character key (and no modifier key is 
 	// pressed except shift), then give focus to nearby chat (STORM-560)
-	if ( gSavedSettings.getS32("LetterKeysFocusChatBar") && !gAgentCamera.cameraMouselook() && 
+	if ( LLStartUp::getStartupState() >= STATE_STARTED && 
+		gSavedSettings.getS32("LetterKeysFocusChatBar") && !gAgentCamera.cameraMouselook() && 
 		!keyboard_focus && key < 0x80 && (mask == MASK_NONE || mask == MASK_SHIFT) )
 	{
 		// Initialize nearby chat if it's missing