diff --git a/app/javascript/flavours/glitch/util/initial_state.js b/app/javascript/flavours/glitch/util/initial_state.js
index a22b68f6fc..ab502f9d43 100644
--- a/app/javascript/flavours/glitch/util/initial_state.js
+++ b/app/javascript/flavours/glitch/util/initial_state.js
@@ -18,6 +18,6 @@ export const boostModal = getMeta('boost_modal');
 export const favouriteModal = getMeta('favourite_modal');
 export const deleteModal = getMeta('delete_modal');
 export const me = getMeta('me');
-export const maxChars = initialState.max_toot_chars || 500;
+export const maxChars = (initialState && initialState.max_toot_chars) || 500;
 
 export default initialState;