diff --git a/direct/src/wxwidgets/WxPandaShell.py b/direct/src/wxwidgets/WxPandaShell.py
index b9c121723b..83073c64f2 100755
--- a/direct/src/wxwidgets/WxPandaShell.py
+++ b/direct/src/wxwidgets/WxPandaShell.py
@@ -6,7 +6,10 @@ from pandac.PandaModules import *
 from direct.showbase.ShowBase import *
 from direct.directtools.DirectGlobals import *
 
-base = ShowBase(False)
+try:
+    base
+except NameError:
+    base = ShowBase(False)
 
 from WxAppShell import *
 from ViewPort import *