diff --git a/lib/node.js b/lib/node.js
index 4f14c3b..a9eb4da 100644
--- a/lib/node.js
+++ b/lib/node.js
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ function keepViewsAlive() {
 function UINode(view) {
   this.instance = view;
   keepViewsAlive();
+  
   const activeKey = view.handle.toString();
   if (!(activeKey in activeInstances)) {
     view.retain();
@@ -229,7 +230,7 @@ function performOnMainThread(action) {
 }
 
 function readStringProperty(value) {
-  return (value !== null) ? value.toString() : '';
+  return (value !== null && value !== undefined) ? value.toString() : '';
 }
 
 module.exports = UINode;