diff --git a/js/views/conversation_view.js b/js/views/conversation_view.js
index 919facd7d..588babf78 100644
--- a/js/views/conversation_view.js
+++ b/js/views/conversation_view.js
@@ -298,6 +298,8 @@
     },
 
     onChangePlaceholder(type) {
+      if (!this.$messageField)
+        return;
       let placeholder;
       switch (type) {
         case 'friend-request':