diff --git a/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.js b/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.js
index fcef72ac5d..b35f94a4f6 100644
--- a/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.js
+++ b/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.js
@@ -2745,7 +2745,7 @@ var ZoteroPane = new function()
 				this.search();
 			}
 			else {
-				this.itemsView.focus();
+				this.itemsView?.focus();
 			}
 		}
 		else if (event.keyCode == event.DOM_VK_RETURN) {