diff --git a/src/pages/home/report/ReportActionsList.js b/src/pages/home/report/ReportActionsList.js
index dd537959c91f..e1230d7219db 100644
--- a/src/pages/home/report/ReportActionsList.js
+++ b/src/pages/home/report/ReportActionsList.js
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ function ReportActionsList({
         if (!userActiveSince.current || report.reportID !== prevReportID) {
             return;
         }
-        if (!messageManuallyMarkedUnread && lastReadTimeRef.current && lastReadTimeRef.current < report.lastReadTime) {
+        if (!messageManuallyMarkedUnread && (lastReadTimeRef.current || '') < report.lastReadTime) {
             cacheUnreadMarkers.delete(report.reportID);
         }
         lastReadTimeRef.current = report.lastReadTime;