diff --git a/packages/camera/example/lib/main.dart b/packages/camera/example/lib/main.dart
index 2e2aa4d0fe1f..10b0ff9201a1 100644
--- a/packages/camera/example/lib/main.dart
+++ b/packages/camera/example/lib/main.dart
@@ -52,6 +52,10 @@ class _CameraExampleHomeState extends State<CameraExampleHome>
 
   @override
   void didChangeAppLifecycleState(AppLifecycleState state) {
+    // App state changed before we got the chance to initialize.
+    if (controller == null || !controller.value.isInitialized) {
+      return;
+    }
     if (state == AppLifecycleState.inactive) {
       controller?.dispose();
     } else if (state == AppLifecycleState.resumed) {