diff --git a/jme3-core/src/main/java/com/jme3/app/StatsAppState.java b/jme3-core/src/main/java/com/jme3/app/StatsAppState.java
index 52a2939143..2078626a9c 100644
--- a/jme3-core/src/main/java/com/jme3/app/StatsAppState.java
+++ b/jme3-core/src/main/java/com/jme3/app/StatsAppState.java
@@ -161,6 +161,9 @@ public void initialize(AppStateManager stateManager, Application app) {
         loadFpsText();
         loadStatsView();
         loadDarken();
+
+        // Apply any enabled state set before initialization
+        setEnabled(isEnabled());
     }
 
     /**
@@ -217,6 +220,11 @@ public void loadDarken() {
     public void setEnabled(boolean enabled) {
         super.setEnabled(enabled);
 
+        if (fpsText == null) {
+            // Not yet initialized; the enabled state will be applied in initialize()
+            return;
+        }
+
         if (enabled) {
             fpsText.setCullHint(showFps ? CullHint.Never : CullHint.Always);
             darkenFps.setCullHint(showFps && darkenBehind ? CullHint.Never : CullHint.Always);