--- a/mobile/android/base/java/org/mozilla/gecko/BrowserApp.java
+++ b/mobile/android/base/java/org/mozilla/gecko/BrowserApp.java
@@ -3120,21 +3120,24 @@ public class BrowserApp extends GeckoApp
         // BrowserSearch in the foreground if we use BrowserSearch.onStart/Stop.
         getWindow().setBackgroundDrawableResource(android.R.color.white);
     }
 
     private void hideBrowserSearch() {
         if (!mBrowserSearch.getUserVisibleHint()) {
             return;
         }
-
-        // To prevent overdraw, the HomePager is hidden when BrowserSearch is displayed:
-        // reverse that.
-        showHomePager(Tabs.getInstance().getSelectedTab().getMostRecentHomePanel(),
-                Tabs.getInstance().getSelectedTab().getMostRecentHomePanelData());
+        final Tab selectedTab = Tabs.getInstance().getSelectedTab();
+        if (selectedTab != null) {
+            // To prevent overdraw, the HomePager is hidden when BrowserSearch is displayed:
+            // reverse that.
+            final String mostRecentHomePanel = selectedTab.getMostRecentHomePanel();
+            showHomePager(mostRecentHomePanel,
+                    selectedTab.getMostRecentHomePanelData());
+        }
 
         mBrowserSearchContainer.setVisibility(View.INVISIBLE);
 
         getSupportFragmentManager().beginTransaction()
                 .hide(mBrowserSearch).commitAllowingStateLoss();
         mBrowserSearch.setUserVisibleHint(false);
 
         getWindow().setBackgroundDrawable(null);