diff --git a/src/graphics/Screen.cpp b/src/graphics/Screen.cpp
index 6e52abdde..c0511a8c6 100644
--- a/src/graphics/Screen.cpp
+++ b/src/graphics/Screen.cpp
@@ -791,7 +791,8 @@ void Screen::setup()
     powerStatusObserver.observe(&powerStatus->onNewStatus);
     gpsStatusObserver.observe(&gpsStatus->onNewStatus);
     nodeStatusObserver.observe(&nodeStatus->onNewStatus);
-    textMessageObserver.observe(textMessagePlugin);
+    if(textMessagePlugin)
+        textMessageObserver.observe(textMessagePlugin);
 }
 
 void Screen::forceDisplay()