diff --git a/src/joystick/SDL_joystick.c b/src/joystick/SDL_joystick.c
index 95f241bc4..e94a8aa3e 100644
--- a/src/joystick/SDL_joystick.c
+++ b/src/joystick/SDL_joystick.c
@@ -759,7 +759,7 @@ SDL_JoystickGetButton(SDL_Joystick *joystick, int button)
 SDL_bool
 SDL_JoystickGetAttached(SDL_Joystick *joystick)
 {
-    if (!SDL_PrivateJoystickValid(joystick)) {
+    if (!joystick) {
         return SDL_FALSE;
     }