diff --git a/lib/java/com/google/android/material/sidesheet/SideSheetBehavior.java b/lib/java/com/google/android/material/sidesheet/SideSheetBehavior.java
index 73e4e6b44f5..b72a4370483 100644
--- a/lib/java/com/google/android/material/sidesheet/SideSheetBehavior.java
+++ b/lib/java/com/google/android/material/sidesheet/SideSheetBehavior.java
@@ -645,7 +645,7 @@ public void setState(@StableSheetState int state) {
       runAfterLayout(
           viewRef.get(),
           () -> {
-            V child = viewRef.get();
+            V child = viewRef != null ? viewRef.get() : null;
             if (child != null) {
               startSettling(child, finalState, false);
             }