diff --git a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/NotificationIconAreaController.java b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/NotificationIconAreaController.java
index 5d6e807729faa..aff73e456b2e3 100644
--- a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/NotificationIconAreaController.java
+++ b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/NotificationIconAreaController.java
@@ -349,6 +349,9 @@ public class NotificationIconAreaController implements
     }
 
     private void updateShelfIcons() {
+        if (mShelfIcons == null) {
+            return;
+        }
         updateIconsForLayout(entry -> entry.getIcons().getShelfIcon(), mShelfIcons,
                 true /* showAmbient */,
                 true /* showLowPriority */,