diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/components/voice/VoiceNoteMediaController.java b/app/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/components/voice/VoiceNoteMediaController.java
index fdae10daf..1ad5a7832 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/components/voice/VoiceNoteMediaController.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/components/voice/VoiceNoteMediaController.java
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ public class VoiceNoteMediaController implements DefaultLifecycleObserver {
   }
 
   private void notifyProgressEventHandler() {
-    if (progressEventHandler == null) {
+    if (progressEventHandler == null && activity != null) {
       progressEventHandler = new ProgressEventHandler(getMediaController(), voiceNotePlaybackState);
       progressEventHandler.sendEmptyMessage(0);
     }