diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/nearby/presenter/NearbyParentFragmentPresenter.kt b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/nearby/presenter/NearbyParentFragmentPresenter.kt
index 6ec1064be2..8e72c7d031 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/nearby/presenter/NearbyParentFragmentPresenter.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/nearby/presenter/NearbyParentFragmentPresenter.kt
@@ -569,7 +569,7 @@ class NearbyParentFragmentPresenter
             loadPlacesDataAyncJob?.cancel()
             localPlaceSearchJob = scope.launch(Dispatchers.IO) {
                 delay(LOCAL_SCROLL_DELAY)
-                val mapFocus = nearbyParentFragmentView.mapFocus
+                val mapFocus = nearbyParentFragmentView.mapFocus ?: return@launch
                 val markerPlaceGroups = placesRepository.fetchPlaces(
                     nearbyParentFragmentView.screenBottomLeft,
                     nearbyParentFragmentView.screenTopRight