diff --git a/Libraries/Components/RefreshControl/RefreshControl.js b/Libraries/Components/RefreshControl/RefreshControl.js
index 64e9a76ea..f79305d93 100644
--- a/Libraries/Components/RefreshControl/RefreshControl.js
+++ b/Libraries/Components/RefreshControl/RefreshControl.js
@@ -133,7 +133,10 @@ const RefreshControl = React.createClass({
 
   _onRefresh() {
     this.props.onRefresh && this.props.onRefresh();
-    this._nativeRef.setNativeProps({refreshing: this.props.refreshing});
+
+    if (this._nativeRef) {
+      this._nativeRef.setNativeProps({refreshing: this.props.refreshing});
+    }
   },
 });