diff --git a/src/tabbed_chat_window.py b/src/tabbed_chat_window.py
index 21908a5dc..e43dfd8ca 100644
--- a/src/tabbed_chat_window.py
+++ b/src/tabbed_chat_window.py
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@ class TabbedChatWindow(chat.Chat):
 
 			chatstate_to_send = None
 			
-			if chatstates_on: # if we have them one
+			if chatstates_on and contact is not None:
 				if contact.chatstate is None:
 					# no info about peer
 					# send active to discover chat state capabilities