diff --git a/addons/mail/static/src/js/client_action.js b/addons/mail/static/src/js/client_action.js
index 52e67c60f68..9f43a9f08df 100644
--- a/addons/mail/static/src/js/client_action.js
+++ b/addons/mail/static/src/js/client_action.js
@@ -660,7 +660,9 @@ var ChatAction = Widget.extend(ControlPanelMixin, {
         });
     },
     destroy: function() {
-        this.$buttons.off().destroy();
+        if (this.$buttons) {
+            this.$buttons.off().destroy();
+        }
         this._super.apply(this, arguments);
     },