diff --git a/WordPress/src/main/java/org/wordpress/android/ui/reader/ReaderFragment.kt b/WordPress/src/main/java/org/wordpress/android/ui/reader/ReaderFragment.kt
index ea9bf586f22a..033a3b56f768 100644
--- a/WordPress/src/main/java/org/wordpress/android/ui/reader/ReaderFragment.kt
+++ b/WordPress/src/main/java/org/wordpress/android/ui/reader/ReaderFragment.kt
@@ -396,9 +396,10 @@ class ReaderFragment : Fragment(R.layout.reader_fragment_layout), ScrollableView
     }
 
     fun requestBookmarkTab() {
-        if (::viewModel.isInitialized) {
-            viewModel.bookmarkTabRequested()
+        if (!::viewModel.isInitialized) {
+            viewModel = ViewModelProvider(this@ReaderFragment, viewModelFactory)[ReaderViewModel::class.java]
         }
+        viewModel.bookmarkTabRequested()
     }
 
     private fun showReaderInterests() {