diff --git a/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_layout.c b/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_layout.c
index cfeccd670c..498f6f2b94 100644
--- a/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_layout.c
+++ b/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_layout.c
@@ -397,14 +397,14 @@ _elm_layout_smart_focus_next(Eo *obj, void *_pd, va_list *list)
 
    Elm_Layout_Smart_Data *sd = _pd;
 
-   if (!sd->subs) return;
-
    if ((items = elm_widget_focus_custom_chain_get(obj)))
      list_data_get = eina_list_data_get;
    else
      {
         items = sd->subs;
         list_data_get = _elm_layout_list_data_get;
+
+        if (!items) return;
      }
 
    int_ret = elm_widget_focus_list_next_get