diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Cable.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Cable.js
index 02f6dabd..0c4a4680 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Cable.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Cable.js
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ const Cable = {
   },
   unsubscribeFromMap: () => {
     let self = Cable
-    self.sub.unsubscribe()
+    self.sub && self.sub.unsubscribe()
     delete self.sub
   },
   synapseAdded: event => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Engine.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Engine.js
index 39215ea9..06518532 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Engine.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Engine.js
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ const Engine = {
     Engine.runner = Matter.Runner.run(Engine.engine)
   },
   endActiveMap: () => {
-    Runner.stop(Engine.runner)
+    Engine.runner && Runner.stop(Engine.runner)
     Matter.Engine.clear(Engine.engine)
   },
   setNodePos: (id, x, y) => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Visualize.js b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Visualize.js
index d38c0e8f..15247d36 100644
--- a/frontend/src/Metamaps/Visualize.js
+++ b/frontend/src/Metamaps/Visualize.js
@@ -159,6 +159,8 @@ const Visualize = {
 
     function runAnimation() {
       Loading.hide()
+      $('#new_topic').show()
+      $('#topic_name').focus()
       // load JSON data, if it's not empty
       if (!self.loadLater) {
         // load JSON data.
@@ -178,8 +180,6 @@ const Visualize = {
         } else if (self.type === 'ForceDirected') {
           self.mGraph.plot()
           Engine.run(true)
-          $('#new_topic').show()
-          $('#topic_name').focus()
         } else if (self.type === 'ForceDirected3D') {
           self.mGraph.animate(JIT.ForceDirected.animateFDLayout)
         }