diff --git a/app/src/main/java/awais/instagrabber/fragments/directmessages/DirectMessageThreadFragment.java b/app/src/main/java/awais/instagrabber/fragments/directmessages/DirectMessageThreadFragment.java
index 5c74e2a8..8f91383d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/awais/instagrabber/fragments/directmessages/DirectMessageThreadFragment.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/awais/instagrabber/fragments/directmessages/DirectMessageThreadFragment.java
@@ -616,6 +616,7 @@ public class DirectMessageThreadFragment extends Fragment implements DirectReact
     }
 
     private void setObservers() {
+        if (viewModel == null) return;
         threadLiveData = viewModel.getThread();
         // if (threadLiveData == null) {
         //     final NavController navController = NavHostFragment.findNavController(this);