diff --git a/src/managers/KeybindManager.cpp b/src/managers/KeybindManager.cpp
index d26b0e92..061f60a9 100644
--- a/src/managers/KeybindManager.cpp
+++ b/src/managers/KeybindManager.cpp
@@ -890,11 +890,16 @@ void CKeybindManager::toggleSpecialWorkspace(std::string args) {
             }
         }
     } else {
+        auto PSPECIALWORKSPACE = g_pCompositor->getWorkspaceByID(SPECIAL_WORKSPACE_ID);
+
+        if (!PSPECIALWORKSPACE) {
+            // ??? happens sometimes...?
+            PSPECIALWORKSPACE = g_pCompositor->m_vWorkspaces.emplace_back(std::make_unique<CWorkspace>(g_pCompositor->m_pLastMonitor->ID, "special", true)).get();
+        }
+
         g_pCompositor->m_pLastMonitor->specialWorkspaceOpen = true;
         g_pLayoutManager->getCurrentLayout()->recalculateMonitor(g_pCompositor->m_pLastMonitor->ID);
 
-        const auto PSPECIALWORKSPACE = g_pCompositor->getWorkspaceByID(SPECIAL_WORKSPACE_ID);
-
         PSPECIALWORKSPACE->startAnim(true, true);
         PSPECIALWORKSPACE->m_iMonitorID = g_pCompositor->m_pLastMonitor->ID;
     }