diff --git a/ReactAndroid/src/androidTest/java/com/facebook/react/testing/ReactTestHelper.java b/ReactAndroid/src/androidTest/java/com/facebook/react/testing/ReactTestHelper.java
index 5d4ebb2d1..45f4efeb7 100644
--- a/ReactAndroid/src/androidTest/java/com/facebook/react/testing/ReactTestHelper.java
+++ b/ReactAndroid/src/androidTest/java/com/facebook/react/testing/ReactTestHelper.java
@@ -137,7 +137,12 @@ public class ReactTestHelper {
                   return null;
                 }
               }).get();
-
+            InstrumentationRegistry.getInstrumentation().runOnMainSync(new Runnable() {
+              @Override
+              public void run() {
+                instance.initialize();
+              }
+            });
           } catch (Exception e) {
             throw new RuntimeException(e);
           }
diff --git a/ReactAndroid/src/main/java/com/facebook/react/cxxbridge/CatalystInstanceImpl.java b/ReactAndroid/src/main/java/com/facebook/react/cxxbridge/CatalystInstanceImpl.java
index 753ef65a6..d024e9cda 100644
--- a/ReactAndroid/src/main/java/com/facebook/react/cxxbridge/CatalystInstanceImpl.java
+++ b/ReactAndroid/src/main/java/com/facebook/react/cxxbridge/CatalystInstanceImpl.java
@@ -191,6 +191,9 @@ public class CatalystInstanceImpl implements CatalystInstance {
       FLog.w(ReactConstants.TAG, "Calling JS function after bridge has been destroyed.");
       return;
     }
+    if (!mInitialized) {
+      throw new RuntimeException("Attempt to call JS function before instance initialization.");
+    }
 
     callJSFunction(executorToken, module, method, arguments, tracingName);
   }