diff --git a/mobile/android/base/java/org/mozilla/gecko/home/TabMenuStripLayout.java b/mobile/android/base/java/org/mozilla/gecko/home/TabMenuStripLayout.java
index d12dfe146701..d4d279493584 100644
--- a/mobile/android/base/java/org/mozilla/gecko/home/TabMenuStripLayout.java
+++ b/mobile/android/base/java/org/mozilla/gecko/home/TabMenuStripLayout.java
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@ class TabMenuStripLayout extends ThemedLinearLayout
             vto.addOnGlobalLayoutListener(new ViewTreeObserver.OnGlobalLayoutListener() {
                 @Override
                 public void onGlobalLayout() {
+                    ViewTreeObserver vto = getViewTreeObserver();
                     if (!vto.isAlive()) {
                         return;
                     }