diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/util/SplitSelectStateController.java b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/util/SplitSelectStateController.java
index a9fa3375f0..193cc2b732 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/util/SplitSelectStateController.java
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/util/SplitSelectStateController.java
@@ -667,8 +667,10 @@ public class SplitSelectStateController {
 
             MAIN_EXECUTOR.execute(() -> {
                 // Only animate from taskView if it's already visible
-                boolean shouldLaunchFromTaskView = mLaunchingTaskView != null &&
-                        mLaunchingTaskView.getRecentsView().isTaskViewVisible(mLaunchingTaskView);
+                boolean shouldLaunchFromTaskView = mLaunchingTaskView != null
+                        && mLaunchingTaskView.getRecentsView() != null
+                        && mLaunchingTaskView.getRecentsView().isTaskViewVisible(
+                        mLaunchingTaskView);
                 mSplitAnimationController.playSplitLaunchAnimation(
                         shouldLaunchFromTaskView ? mLaunchingTaskView : null,
                         mLaunchingIconView,