diff --git a/design/src/android/support/design/widget/BottomSheetBehavior.java b/design/src/android/support/design/widget/BottomSheetBehavior.java
index d75623e..4419d86 100644
--- a/design/src/android/support/design/widget/BottomSheetBehavior.java
+++ b/design/src/android/support/design/widget/BottomSheetBehavior.java
@@ -385,7 +385,8 @@
             setStateInternal(STATE_EXPANDED);
             return;
         }
-        if (target != mNestedScrollingChildRef.get() || !mNestedScrolled) {
+        if (mNestedScrollingChildRef == null || target != mNestedScrollingChildRef.get()
+                || !mNestedScrolled) {
             return;
         }
         int top;