diff --git a/unity/Runtime/Components/MjComponent.cs b/unity/Runtime/Components/MjComponent.cs
index 1371c001..3b69668f 100644
--- a/unity/Runtime/Components/MjComponent.cs
+++ b/unity/Runtime/Components/MjComponent.cs
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ public abstract class MjComponent : MonoBehaviour {
   }
 
   public void OnDisable() {
-    if (!_exiting) {
+    if (!_exiting && MjScene.InstanceExists) {
       MjScene.Instance.SceneRecreationAtLateUpdateRequested = true;
     }
   }