diff --git a/mplayer.c b/mplayer.c
index 385e119c13..dd82f89f96 100644
--- a/mplayer.c
+++ b/mplayer.c
@@ -354,7 +354,9 @@ void uninit_player(unsigned int mask){
 void exit_player(char* how){
 
   uninit_player(INITED_ALL);
-  vo_uninit();
+#ifdef X11_FULLSCREEN
+  vo_uninit();	// close the X11 connection (if any opened)
+#endif
 
   current_module="exit_player";