diff --git a/packages/edit-site/src/components/global-styles-sidebar/index.js b/packages/edit-site/src/components/global-styles-sidebar/index.js
index 423f54f233929..d46346b50dae3 100644
--- a/packages/edit-site/src/components/global-styles-sidebar/index.js
+++ b/packages/edit-site/src/components/global-styles-sidebar/index.js
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ export default function GlobalStylesSidebar() {
 	const previousActiveAreaRef = useRef( null );
 
 	useEffect( () => {
-		if ( path.startsWith( '/wp_global_styles' ) && canvas === 'edit' ) {
+		if ( path?.startsWith( '/wp_global_styles' ) && canvas === 'edit' ) {
 			previousActiveAreaRef.current =
 				getActiveComplementaryArea( 'core' );
 			enableComplementaryArea( 'core', 'edit-site/global-styles' );