diff --git a/platforms/android/tangram/src/main/java/com/mapzen/tangram/MapView.java b/platforms/android/tangram/src/main/java/com/mapzen/tangram/MapView.java
index 529a0b0a77..f5f497e71d 100644
--- a/platforms/android/tangram/src/main/java/com/mapzen/tangram/MapView.java
+++ b/platforms/android/tangram/src/main/java/com/mapzen/tangram/MapView.java
@@ -316,7 +316,9 @@ public void onDestroy() {
      * You must call this method from the parent Activity/Fragment's corresponding method.
      */
     public void onLowMemory() {
-        mapController.onLowMemory();
+        if (mapController != null) {
+            mapController.onLowMemory();
+        }
     }
 
 }