diff --git a/src/components/structures/TimelinePanel.tsx b/src/components/structures/TimelinePanel.tsx
index ff11e0aaa3..30d7231936 100644
--- a/src/components/structures/TimelinePanel.tsx
+++ b/src/components/structures/TimelinePanel.tsx
@@ -590,7 +590,7 @@ class TimelinePanel extends React.Component<IProps, IState> {
             }
 
             this.setState<null>(updatedState, () => {
-                this.messagePanel.current.updateTimelineMinHeight();
+                this.messagePanel.current?.updateTimelineMinHeight();
                 if (callRMUpdated) {
                     this.props.onReadMarkerUpdated?.();
                 }