diff --git a/core/java/android/webkit/WebView.java b/core/java/android/webkit/WebView.java
index 975f815..642cd02 100644
--- a/core/java/android/webkit/WebView.java
+++ b/core/java/android/webkit/WebView.java
@@ -5036,6 +5036,9 @@
      * @hide pending API Council approval.
      */
     public SearchBox getSearchBox() {
+        if ((mWebViewCore == null) || (mWebViewCore.getBrowserFrame() == null)) {
+            return null;
+        }
         return mWebViewCore.getBrowserFrame().getSearchBox();
     }