diff --git a/Xamarin.Forms.Core/VisualElement.cs b/Xamarin.Forms.Core/VisualElement.cs
index 3531c56df11..6330f594efd 100644
--- a/Xamarin.Forms.Core/VisualElement.cs
+++ b/Xamarin.Forms.Core/VisualElement.cs
@@ -218,7 +218,10 @@ void NotifyBackgroundChanges()
 			{
 				Device.InvokeOnMainThreadAsync(() =>
 				{
-					Background.Parent = this;
+					if (Background != null)
+					{
+						Background.Parent = this;
+					}
 				});
 
 				Background.PropertyChanged += OnBackgroundChanged;