diff --git a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/NavigationBarView.java b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/NavigationBarView.java
index 4821d8c46ed44..e83b159c4911a 100644
--- a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/NavigationBarView.java
+++ b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/NavigationBarView.java
@@ -822,7 +822,7 @@ public class NavigationBarView extends FrameLayout implements
      */
     public void updateSlippery() {
         setSlippery(!isQuickStepSwipeUpEnabled() ||
-                (mPanelView.isFullyExpanded() && !mPanelView.isCollapsing()));
+                (mPanelView != null && mPanelView.isFullyExpanded() && !mPanelView.isCollapsing()));
     }
 
     private void setSlippery(boolean slippery) {