diff --git a/src/com/android/launcher3/Workspace.java b/src/com/android/launcher3/Workspace.java
index 2bc5e646a0..4c9542d5c9 100644
--- a/src/com/android/launcher3/Workspace.java
+++ b/src/com/android/launcher3/Workspace.java
@@ -2122,7 +2122,8 @@ public class Workspace<T extends View & PageIndicator> extends PagedView<T>
                 final ItemInfo info = (ItemInfo) cell.getTag();
                 boolean isWidget = info.itemType == LauncherSettings.Favorites.ITEM_TYPE_APPWIDGET
                         || info.itemType == LauncherSettings.Favorites.ITEM_TYPE_CUSTOM_APPWIDGET;
-                if (isWidget) {
+                if (isWidget && dropTargetLayout != null) {
+                    // animate widget to a valid place
                     int animationType = resizeOnDrop ? ANIMATE_INTO_POSITION_AND_RESIZE :
                             ANIMATE_INTO_POSITION_AND_DISAPPEAR;
                     animateWidgetDrop(info, parent, d.dragView, null, animationType, cell, false);