diff --git a/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml b/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
index 5d264a8f9a..75562fbafa 100644
--- a/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@
       android:exported="false" />
     <activity
       android:name=".upload.UploadProgressActivity"
+      android:configChanges="orientation|screenSize|keyboard|smallestScreenSize|screenLayout"
       android:exported="false" />
     <activity
       android:name=".description.DescriptionEditActivity"
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/PendingUploadsFragment.kt b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/PendingUploadsFragment.kt
index 45e9d90a3e..7187209f38 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/PendingUploadsFragment.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/fr/free/nrw/commons/upload/PendingUploadsFragment.kt
@@ -119,6 +119,8 @@ class PendingUploadsFragment :
      * Cancels a specific upload after getting a confirmation from the user using Dialog.
      */
     override fun deleteUpload(contribution: Contribution?) {
+        if (!::pendingUploadsPresenter.isInitialized) return // defensive Check
+
         val activity = requireActivity()
         val locale = Locale.getDefault()
         showAlertDialog(
@@ -140,19 +142,29 @@ class PendingUploadsFragment :
     /**
      * Restarts all the paused uploads.
      */
-    fun restartUploads() = pendingUploadsPresenter.restartUploads(
-        contributionsList, 0, requireContext().applicationContext
-    )
+    fun restartUploads() {
+        if (::pendingUploadsPresenter.isInitialized) {
+            pendingUploadsPresenter.restartUploads(
+                contributionsList, 0, requireContext().applicationContext
+            )
+        }
+    }
 
     /**
      * Pauses all the ongoing uploads.
      */
-    fun pauseUploads() = pendingUploadsPresenter.pauseUploads()
+    fun pauseUploads() {
+        if (::pendingUploadsPresenter.isInitialized) {
+            pendingUploadsPresenter.pauseUploads()
+        }
+    }
 
     /**
      * Cancels all the uploads after getting a confirmation from the user using Dialog.
      */
     fun deleteUploads() {
+        if (!::pendingUploadsPresenter.isInitialized) return
+
         val activity = requireActivity()
         val locale = Locale.getDefault()
         showAlertDialog(