diff --git a/src/main/java/eu/siacs/conversations/ui/ConversationFragment.java b/src/main/java/eu/siacs/conversations/ui/ConversationFragment.java
index d8adb5b679f79aee9418c1bddddcdea1e7754db8..4d1d441215f2e399550366a24326ac254506163e 100644
--- a/src/main/java/eu/siacs/conversations/ui/ConversationFragment.java
+++ b/src/main/java/eu/siacs/conversations/ui/ConversationFragment.java
@@ -1118,7 +1118,7 @@ public class ConversationFragment extends XmppFragment
             this.binding.inputLayout.setBackgroundColor(android.R.color.transparent);
         } else {
             this.binding.textInputHint.setVisibility(View.GONE);
-            this.binding.textinput.setHint(UIHelper.getMessageHint(activity, conversation));
+            if (activity != null) this.binding.textinput.setHint(UIHelper.getMessageHint(activity, conversation));
             this.binding.inputLayout.setBackground(activity.getDrawable(R.drawable.background_message_bubble));
             activity.invalidateOptionsMenu();
         }