diff --git a/flatlaf-core/src/main/java/com/formdev/flatlaf/ui/FlatScrollBarUI.java b/flatlaf-core/src/main/java/com/formdev/flatlaf/ui/FlatScrollBarUI.java
index 732e0fa3..676abfe1 100644
--- a/flatlaf-core/src/main/java/com/formdev/flatlaf/ui/FlatScrollBarUI.java
+++ b/flatlaf-core/src/main/java/com/formdev/flatlaf/ui/FlatScrollBarUI.java
@@ -510,7 +510,7 @@ public class FlatScrollBarUI
 			Object interpolator = UIManager.get( "ScrollPane.smoothScrolling.interpolator" );
 
 			animator = new Animator( duration, fraction -> {
-				if( !scrollbar.isShowing() ) {
+				if( scrollbar == null || !scrollbar.isShowing() ) {
 					animator.cancel();
 					return;
 				}