diff --git a/core/java/android/webkit/WebViewClassic.java b/core/java/android/webkit/WebViewClassic.java
index 504788ec6d786..893849b93255f 100644
--- a/core/java/android/webkit/WebViewClassic.java
+++ b/core/java/android/webkit/WebViewClassic.java
@@ -4677,6 +4677,9 @@ public final class WebViewClassic implements WebViewProvider, WebViewProvider.Sc
      * Select the word at the indicated content coordinates.
      */
     boolean selectText(int x, int y) {
+        if (mWebViewCore == null) {
+            return false;
+        }
         mWebViewCore.sendMessage(EventHub.SELECT_WORD_AT, x, y);
         return true;
     }