A print engine assembly includes a sensor to monitor for a user pulling at a free end of print media. A processor is coupled to the sensor and configured to operate a guillotine to sever the print media before potentially damaging forces can be transmitted to the print engine assembly. The processor is preferably also configured to restart a printing procedure upon the guillotine being operated. In one embodiment the sensor comprises an optical sensor. The optical sensor monitors a small plastic flag to detect deflections that occur on paper drive rollers of the print engine assembly when the print media is pulled.