diff --git a/src/ofxOMXPlayer.cpp b/src/ofxOMXPlayer.cpp
index 4a77eac..995393a 100755
--- a/src/ofxOMXPlayer.cpp
+++ b/src/ofxOMXPlayer.cpp
@@ -393,6 +393,11 @@ void ofxOMXPlayer::setAlpha(int alpha)
 
 void ofxOMXPlayer::setLayer(int layer)
 {
+    if(!isOpen())
+    {
+        ofLogError() << "TOO EARLY TO SET LAYER, Use ofxOMXPlayerSettings.layer to pass in";
+        return;
+    }
     engine.setLayer(layer);
 }