diff --git a/src/com/android/settings/network/NetworkProviderSettings.java b/src/com/android/settings/network/NetworkProviderSettings.java
index 36038d8ae6c..e88d38bdee3 100644
--- a/src/com/android/settings/network/NetworkProviderSettings.java
+++ b/src/com/android/settings/network/NetworkProviderSettings.java
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ public class NetworkProviderSettings extends RestrictedSettingsFragment
      * ensure that behavior is consistent if {@link #isUiRestricted()} changes. It could be changed
      * by the Test DPC tool in AFW mode.
      */
-    private boolean mIsRestricted;
+    protected boolean mIsRestricted;
 
     @VisibleForTesting
     AirplaneModeEnabler mAirplaneModeEnabler;
@@ -219,7 +219,8 @@ public class NetworkProviderSettings extends RestrictedSettingsFragment
     PreferenceCategory mConnectedWifiEntryPreferenceCategory;
     @VisibleForTesting
     PreferenceCategory mFirstWifiEntryPreferenceCategory;
-    private PreferenceCategory mWifiEntryPreferenceCategory;
+    @VisibleForTesting
+    PreferenceCategory mWifiEntryPreferenceCategory;
     @VisibleForTesting
     AddWifiNetworkPreference mAddWifiNetworkPreference;
     private WifiSwitchPreferenceController mWifiSwitchPreferenceController;
@@ -794,7 +795,11 @@ public class NetworkProviderSettings extends RestrictedSettingsFragment
         }
     }
 
-    private void updateWifiEntryPreferences() {
+    protected void updateWifiEntryPreferences() {
+        // bypass the update if the activity and the view are not ready, or it's restricted UI.
+        if (getActivity() == null || getView() == null || mIsRestricted) {
+            return;
+        }
         // in case state has changed
         if (mWifiPickerTracker.getWifiState() != WifiManager.WIFI_STATE_ENABLED) {
             return;
diff --git a/tests/robotests/src/com/android/settings/network/NetworkProviderSettingsTest.java b/tests/robotests/src/com/android/settings/network/NetworkProviderSettingsTest.java
index 7affe68ab99..99514497eb4 100644
--- a/tests/robotests/src/com/android/settings/network/NetworkProviderSettingsTest.java
+++ b/tests/robotests/src/com/android/settings/network/NetworkProviderSettingsTest.java
@@ -535,4 +535,32 @@ public class NetworkProviderSettingsTest {
 
         assertThat(p instanceof NetworkProviderSettings.FirstWifiEntryPreference).isTrue();
     }
+
+    @Test
+    public void updateWifiEntryPreferences_activityIsNull_ShouldNotCrash() {
+        when(mNetworkProviderSettings.getActivity()).thenReturn(null);
+
+        // should not crash
+        mNetworkProviderSettings.updateWifiEntryPreferences();
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    public void updateWifiEntryPreferences_viewIsNull_ShouldNotCrash() {
+        final FragmentActivity activity = mock(FragmentActivity.class);
+        when(mNetworkProviderSettings.getActivity()).thenReturn(activity);
+        when(mNetworkProviderSettings.getView()).thenReturn(null);
+
+        // should not crash
+        mNetworkProviderSettings.updateWifiEntryPreferences();
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    public void updateWifiEntryPreferences_isRestricted_bypassUpdate() {
+        mNetworkProviderSettings.mIsRestricted = true;
+        mNetworkProviderSettings.mWifiEntryPreferenceCategory = mock(PreferenceCategory.class);
+
+        mNetworkProviderSettings.updateWifiEntryPreferences();
+
+        verify(mNetworkProviderSettings.mWifiEntryPreferenceCategory, never()).setVisible(true);
+    }
 }