diff --git a/public/app/features/explore/QueryEditor.tsx b/public/app/features/explore/QueryEditor.tsx
index 2f689409179..de8706b0a21 100644
--- a/public/app/features/explore/QueryEditor.tsx
+++ b/public/app/features/explore/QueryEditor.tsx
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ export default class QueryEditor extends PureComponent<QueryEditorProps, any> {
     const hasNewError = prevProps.error !== this.props.error;
 
     if (this.component) {
-      if (hasToggledEditorMode) {
+      if (hasToggledEditorMode && this.angularScope && this.angularScope.toggleEditorMode) {
         this.angularScope.toggleEditorMode();
       }