diff --git a/js/src/tab.js b/js/src/tab.js
index af296f74fe..7333f22a1f 100644
--- a/js/src/tab.js
+++ b/js/src/tab.js
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ class Tab {
 
   _activate(element, container, callback) {
     let activeElements
-    if (container.nodeName === 'UL') {
+    if (container && container.nodeName === 'UL') {
       activeElements = $(container).find(Selector.ACTIVE_UL)
     } else {
       activeElements = $(container).children(Selector.ACTIVE)