diff --git a/source/filters/filter-sdf-effects.cpp b/source/filters/filter-sdf-effects.cpp
index 97f3f8bd..bb44c08d 100644
--- a/source/filters/filter-sdf-effects.cpp
+++ b/source/filters/filter-sdf-effects.cpp
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ void filter::sdf_effects::sdf_effects_factory::on_list_fill()
 		}
 		try {
 			kv.second = std::make_shared<gs::effect>(path);
-		} catch (std::exception ex) {
+		} catch (std::exception& ex) {
 			P_LOG_ERROR(LOG_PREFIX "Failed to load effect '%s' (located at '%s') with error(s): %s", kv.first, path,
 						ex.what());
 		}
@@ -866,6 +866,11 @@ void filter::sdf_effects::sdf_effects_instance::video_render(gs_effect_t* effect
 		this->m_output_rendered = true;
 	}
 
+	if (!this->m_output_texture) {
+		obs_source_skip_video_filter(this->m_self);
+		return;
+	}
+
 	gs_eparam_t* ep = gs_effect_get_param_by_name(final_effect, "image");
 	if (ep) {
 		gs_effect_set_texture(ep, this->m_output_texture->get_object());