diff --git a/internal_filesystem/lib/mpos/apps.py b/internal_filesystem/lib/mpos/apps.py
index 5f1da7e1..dae6832a 100644
--- a/internal_filesystem/lib/mpos/apps.py
+++ b/internal_filesystem/lib/mpos/apps.py
@@ -346,7 +346,9 @@ class ActivityNavigator:
         activity._result_callback = result_callback  # Pass callback to activity
         start_time = utime.ticks_ms()
         # Remove objects from previous screens from the focus group:
-        lv.group_get_default().remove_all_objs() #  might be better to save and restore the group for "back" actions
+        group = lv.group_get_default()
+        if group: # on esp32 this may not be set
+            group.remove_all_objs() #  might be better to save and restore the group for "back" actions
         activity.onCreate()
         end_time = utime.ticks_diff(utime.ticks_ms(), start_time)
         print(f"apps.py _launch_activity: activity.onCreate took {end_time}ms")
diff --git a/internal_filesystem/lib/mpos/clipboard.py b/internal_filesystem/lib/mpos/clipboard.py
index 4ea6c567..391686a7 100644
--- a/internal_filesystem/lib/mpos/clipboard.py
+++ b/internal_filesystem/lib/mpos/clipboard.py
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ def get():
 def paste_text(text): # called when CTRL-V is pressed on the keyboard
     print(f"mpos.ui.clipboard.py paste_text adding {text}")
     group = lv.group_get_default()
+    if not group:
+        return
     focused_obj = group.get_focused()
     if focused_obj and isinstance(focused_obj, lv.textarea):
         focused_obj.add_text(text)