diff --git a/app/components/sidebars/main/main_sidebar.js b/app/components/sidebars/main/main_sidebar.js
index fbbfb12ec..95182077b 100644
--- a/app/components/sidebars/main/main_sidebar.js
+++ b/app/components/sidebars/main/main_sidebar.js
@@ -178,6 +178,20 @@ export default class ChannelSidebar extends Component {
 
         this.closeChannelDrawer();
 
+        if (!channel) {
+            const utils = require('app/utils/general');
+            const {intl} = this.context;
+
+            const unableToJoinMessage = {
+                id: 'mobile.open_unknown_channel.error',
+                defaultMessage: "We couldn't join the channel. Please reset the cache and try again.",
+            };
+            const erroMessage = {};
+
+            utils.alertErrorWithFallback(intl, erroMessage, unableToJoinMessage);
+            return;
+        }
+
         setChannelLoading(channel.id !== currentChannelId);
         setChannelDisplayName(channel.display_name);
         EventEmitter.emit('switch_channel', channel, currentChannelId);
diff --git a/assets/base/i18n/en.json b/assets/base/i18n/en.json
index 06201695f..b5245db94 100644
--- a/assets/base/i18n/en.json
+++ b/assets/base/i18n/en.json
@@ -2527,6 +2527,7 @@
   "mobile.offlineIndicator.offline": "Cannot connect to the server",
   "mobile.open_dm.error": "We couldn't open a direct message with {displayName}. Please check your connection and try again.",
   "mobile.open_gm.error": "We couldn't open a group message with those users. Please check your connection and try again.",
+  "mobile.open_unknown_channel.error": "Unable to join the channel. Please reset the cache and try again.",
   "mobile.post.cancel": "Cancel",
   "mobile.post.delete_question": "Are you sure you want to delete this post?",
   "mobile.post.delete_title": "Delete Post",