diff --git a/src/Avalonia.Controls/TreeView.cs b/src/Avalonia.Controls/TreeView.cs
index 3afbbd944c..78cd22ae32 100644
--- a/src/Avalonia.Controls/TreeView.cs
+++ b/src/Avalonia.Controls/TreeView.cs
@@ -166,11 +166,9 @@ namespace Avalonia.Controls
         {
             item.IsExpanded = true;
 
-            var panel = item.Presenter.Panel;
-
-            if (panel != null)
+            if (item.Presenter?.Panel != null)
             {
-                foreach (var child in panel.Children)
+                foreach (var child in item.Presenter.Panel.Children)
                 {
                     if (child is TreeViewItem treeViewItem)
                     {