diff --git a/python/caca/canvas.py b/python/caca/canvas.py
index 725ae49..046a1c3 100644
--- a/python/caca/canvas.py
+++ b/python/caca/canvas.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ class _Canvas(object):
         return "<CacaCanvas %dx%d>" % (self.get_width(), self.get_height())
 
     def __del__(self):
-        if self._cv > 0:
+        if self._cv > 0 and _lib is not None:
             self._free()
 
     def _free(self):
diff --git a/python/caca/display.py b/python/caca/display.py
index 93e028b..7cf4d71 100644
--- a/python/caca/display.py
+++ b/python/caca/display.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class _Display(object):
         return "<CacaDisplay>"
 
     def __del__(self):
-        if self._dp > 0:
+        if self._dp > 0 and _lib is not None:
             self._free()
 
     def _free(self):
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ class _Display(object):
 
         return _lib.caca_free_display(self)
 
+
 class Display(_Display):
     """ Display objects, methods are libcaca functions with display_t as first
         parameter.
diff --git a/python/examples/drawing.py b/python/examples/drawing.py
index 4a9609c..3bcf02e 100755
--- a/python/examples/drawing.py
+++ b/python/examples/drawing.py
@@ -96,22 +96,38 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
                 sys.exit()
             elif ch == ord('1'):
                 draw.do_line()
+                dp.refresh()
+                time.sleep(2)
             elif ch == ord('2'):
                 draw.do_line(thin=True)
+                dp.refresh()
+                time.sleep(2)
             elif ch == ord('3'):
                 draw.do_polyline()
+                dp.refresh()
+                time.sleep(2)
             elif ch == ord('4'):
                 draw.do_polyline(thin=True)
+                dp.refresh()
+                time.sleep(2)
             elif ch == ord('5'):
                 draw.do_circle()
+                dp.refresh()
+                time.sleep(2)
             elif ch == ord('6'):
                 draw.do_ellipse()
+                dp.refresh()
+                time.sleep(2)
             elif ch == ord('7'):
                 draw.do_ellipse(thin=True)
+                dp.refresh()
+                time.sleep(2)
             elif ch == ord('8'):
                 draw.do_box()
+                dp.refresh()
+                time.sleep(2)
             elif ch == ord('9'):
                 draw.do_box(thin=True)
-            dp.refresh()
-            time.sleep(2)
+                dp.refresh()
+                time.sleep(2)