diff --git a/src/prefs/SpectrumPrefs.cpp b/src/prefs/SpectrumPrefs.cpp
index 0b0273d9c..c5b12609c 100644
--- a/src/prefs/SpectrumPrefs.cpp
+++ b/src/prefs/SpectrumPrefs.cpp
@@ -361,6 +361,9 @@ bool SpectrumPrefs::Validate()
 
 bool SpectrumPrefs::Apply()
 {
+   if (!Validate())
+      return false;
+
    const bool isOpenPage = this->IsShown();
 
    WaveTrack *const partner =