diff --git a/packages/block-library/src/navigation/edit/index.js b/packages/block-library/src/navigation/edit/index.js
index 105340a63857f..10b096b4e1cc2 100644
--- a/packages/block-library/src/navigation/edit/index.js
+++ b/packages/block-library/src/navigation/edit/index.js
@@ -279,6 +279,7 @@ function Navigation( {
 
 	useEffect( () => {
 		if (
+			ref ||
 			! hasResolvedNavigationMenus ||
 			isConvertingClassicMenu ||
 			fallbackNavigationMenus?.length > 0