diff --git a/core/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/core/main/CoreReaderFragment.kt b/core/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/core/main/CoreReaderFragment.kt
index 4c4046122..37e02cea1 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/core/main/CoreReaderFragment.kt
+++ b/core/src/main/java/org/kiwix/kiwixmobile/core/main/CoreReaderFragment.kt
@@ -2236,7 +2236,7 @@ abstract class CoreReaderFragment :
     }
 
   private fun setActionAndStartTTSService(action: String, isPauseTTS: Boolean = false) {
-    requireActivity().startService(
+    activity?.startService(
       createReadAloudIntent(action, isPauseTTS)
     ).also {
       isReadAloudServiceRunning = action == ACTION_PAUSE_OR_RESUME_TTS