diff --git a/.changeset/little-dingos-cough.md b/.changeset/little-dingos-cough.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4384a401
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/little-dingos-cough.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'react-native-bottom-tabs': patch
+---
+
+fix: don't show a default tab bar on top of a custom one when changing theme
diff --git a/packages/react-native-bottom-tabs/android/src/main/java/com/rcttabview/RCTTabView.kt b/packages/react-native-bottom-tabs/android/src/main/java/com/rcttabview/RCTTabView.kt
index 390579ed..ab9b1dd6 100644
--- a/packages/react-native-bottom-tabs/android/src/main/java/com/rcttabview/RCTTabView.kt
+++ b/packages/react-native-bottom-tabs/android/src/main/java/com/rcttabview/RCTTabView.kt
@@ -458,6 +458,11 @@ class ReactBottomNavigationView(context: Context) : LinearLayout(context) {
       return
     }
 
+    // User has hidden the bottom navigation bar, don't re-attach it.
+    if (bottomNavigation.visibility == GONE) {
+      return
+    }
+
     // If appearance wasn't changed re-create the bottom navigation view when configuration changes.
     // React Native opts out ouf Activity re-creation when configuration changes, this workarounds that.
     // We also opt-out of this recreation when custom styles are used.