diff --git a/src/con.c b/src/con.c
index 282c389f..6c7b2d96 100644
--- a/src/con.c
+++ b/src/con.c
@@ -1245,9 +1245,15 @@ void con_set_layout(Con *con, layout_t layout) {
             new->layout = layout;
             new->last_split_layout = con->last_split_layout;
 
+            /* Save the container that was focused before we move containers
+             * around, but only if the container is visible (otherwise focus
+             * will be restored properly automatically when switching). */
             Con *old_focused = TAILQ_FIRST(&(con->focus_head));
             if (old_focused == TAILQ_END(&(con->focus_head)))
                 old_focused = NULL;
+            if (old_focused != NULL &&
+                !workspace_is_visible(con_get_workspace(old_focused)))
+                old_focused = NULL;
 
             /* 3: move the existing cons of this workspace below the new con */
             DLOG("Moving cons\n");
diff --git a/testcases/t/237-regress-assign-focus.t b/testcases/t/237-regress-assign-focus.t
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e9cb537e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testcases/t/237-regress-assign-focus.t
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+#!perl
+# vim:ts=4:sw=4:expandtab
+#
+# Please read the following documents before working on tests:
+# • http://build.i3wm.org/docs/testsuite.html
+#   (or docs/testsuite)
+#
+# • http://build.i3wm.org/docs/lib-i3test.html
+#   (alternatively: perldoc ./testcases/lib/i3test.pm)
+#
+# • http://build.i3wm.org/docs/ipc.html
+#   (or docs/ipc)
+#
+# • http://onyxneon.com/books/modern_perl/modern_perl_a4.pdf
+#   (unless you are already familiar with Perl)
+#
+# Verifies that using layout tabbed followed by focus (on a window that is
+# assigned to an invisible workspace) will not crash i3.
+# Ticket: #1338
+# Bug still in: 4.8-91-g294d52e
+use i3test i3_autostart => 0;
+
+my $config = <<EOT;
+# i3 config file (v4)
+font -misc-fixed-medium-r-normal--13-120-75-75-C-70-iso10646-1
+
+assign [title=".*"] 1
+for_window [title=".*"] layout tabbed, focus
+EOT
+
+my $pid = launch_with_config($config);
+
+# Switch away from workspace 1
+my $tmp = fresh_workspace;
+
+my $win = open_window;
+
+does_i3_live;
+
+exit_gracefully($pid);
+
+done_testing;