diff --git a/source/funkin/ui/freeplay/FreeplayState.hx b/source/funkin/ui/freeplay/FreeplayState.hx
index 2dea92352..4d1ad7019 100644
--- a/source/funkin/ui/freeplay/FreeplayState.hx
+++ b/source/funkin/ui/freeplay/FreeplayState.hx
@@ -536,7 +536,7 @@ class FreeplayState extends MusicBeatSubState
       grpTxtScrolls.visible = true;
 
       // render optimisation
-      _parentState.persistentDraw = false;
+      if (_parentState != null) _parentState.persistentDraw = false;
     });
 
     generateSongList(null, false);