diff --git a/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/find/impl/livePreview/LivePreviewController.java b/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/find/impl/livePreview/LivePreviewController.java
index 4ea787e5a498..e16ef52639f7 100644
--- a/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/find/impl/livePreview/LivePreviewController.java
+++ b/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/find/impl/livePreview/LivePreviewController.java
@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@ public class LivePreviewController implements LivePreview.Delegate, FindUtil.Rep
   };
 
   private void smartUpdate() {
+    if (myLivePreview == null) return;
     myLivePreview.inSmartUpdate();
     updateInBackground(mySearchResults.getFindModel(), false);
   }