diff --git a/lib/router/transition-intent/named-transition-intent.js b/lib/router/transition-intent/named-transition-intent.js
index 37e3147a..8de04077 100644
--- a/lib/router/transition-intent/named-transition-intent.js
+++ b/lib/router/transition-intent/named-transition-intent.js
@@ -114,7 +114,11 @@ export default class NamedTransitionIntent extends TransitionIntent {
           newHandlerInfo.context
         );
         var oldContext = oldHandlerInfo && oldHandlerInfo.context;
-        if (result.names.length > 0 && newHandlerInfo.context === oldContext) {
+        if (
+          result.names.length > 0 &&
+          oldContext !== null &&
+          newHandlerInfo.context === oldContext
+        ) {
           // If contexts match in isActive test, assume params also match.
           // This allows for flexibility in not requiring that every last
           // handler provide a `serialize` method