diff --git a/src/core/VirtualRenderer.ts b/src/core/VirtualRenderer.ts
index dd3297a2..d5ae0af4 100644
--- a/src/core/VirtualRenderer.ts
+++ b/src/core/VirtualRenderer.ts
@@ -263,9 +263,9 @@ export default class VirtualRenderer {
         const newRenderStack: RenderStack = {};
         const keyToStableIdMap: { [key: string]: string } = {};
 
-        // Do not use recycle pool so that elements don't fly top to bottom or vice version
+        // Do not use recycle pool so that elements don't fly top to bottom or vice versa
         // Doing this is expensive and can draw extra items
-        if (this._optimizeForAnimations) {
+        if (this._optimizeForAnimations && this._recyclePool) {
             this._recyclePool.clearAll();
         }