diff --git a/packages/terra-compact-interactive-list/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/terra-compact-interactive-list/CHANGELOG.md
index df7d270fd7c..28b53f2fe91 100644
--- a/packages/terra-compact-interactive-list/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/packages/terra-compact-interactive-list/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+* Fixed
+  * Added check for cell element existence before focusing.
+
 ## 1.6.0 - (February 28, 2024)
 
 * Changed
diff --git a/packages/terra-compact-interactive-list/src/CompactInteractiveList.jsx b/packages/terra-compact-interactive-list/src/CompactInteractiveList.jsx
index 6f4d8631c7d..5801a399c66 100644
--- a/packages/terra-compact-interactive-list/src/CompactInteractiveList.jsx
+++ b/packages/terra-compact-interactive-list/src/CompactInteractiveList.jsx
@@ -154,14 +154,16 @@ const CompactInteractiveList = (props) => {
 
   const focusCell = ({ row, cell }) => {
     // add 1 to the row number to accommodate for hidden header
-    const focusedCellElement = listRef.current.children[row + 1].children[cell];
-    const interactiveChildren = getFocusableElements(focusedCellElement);
-    if (interactiveChildren?.length > 0 && interactiveChildren[0]) {
-      // currently a cell can have only one interact-able element in it, which gets auto-focused.
-      interactiveChildren[0].focus();
-    } else {
-      // cell gets focus if there is no interact-able elements in it.
-      focusedCellElement.focus();
+    const focusedCellElement = listRef.current?.children[row + 1]?.children[cell];
+    if (focusedCellElement) {
+      const interactiveChildren = getFocusableElements(focusedCellElement);
+      if (interactiveChildren?.length > 0 && interactiveChildren[0]) {
+        // currently a cell can have only one interact-able element in it, which gets auto-focused.
+        interactiveChildren[0].focus();
+      } else {
+        // cell gets focus if there is no interact-able elements in it.
+        focusedCellElement.focus();
+      }
     }
   };