diff --git a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/shade/NotificationPanelViewController.java b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/shade/NotificationPanelViewController.java
index 926ede99f5a9c..af12bc2ca9f8f 100644
--- a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/shade/NotificationPanelViewController.java
+++ b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/shade/NotificationPanelViewController.java
@@ -4373,7 +4373,8 @@ public final class NotificationPanelViewController implements ShadeSurface, Dump
 
                 @Override
                 public boolean shouldHeadsUpBeVisible() {
-                    return mHeadsUpAppearanceController.shouldBeVisible();
+                    return mHeadsUpAppearanceController != null &&
+                            mHeadsUpAppearanceController.shouldBeVisible();
                 }
 
                 @Override