diff --git a/editor/scene_tree_dock.cpp b/editor/scene_tree_dock.cpp
index 7f60fbbdb98b..94bd3e16d306 100644
--- a/editor/scene_tree_dock.cpp
+++ b/editor/scene_tree_dock.cpp
@@ -77,12 +77,12 @@ void SceneTreeDock::_quick_open() {
 
 void SceneTreeDock::_inspect_hovered_node() {
 	select_node_hovered_at_end_of_drag = true;
-	if (tree_item_inspected != nullptr) {
-		tree_item_inspected->clear_custom_color(0);
-	}
 	Tree *tree = scene_tree->get_scene_tree();
 	TreeItem *item = tree->get_item_with_metadata(node_hovered_now->get_path());
 	if (item) {
+		if (tree_item_inspected) {
+			tree_item_inspected->clear_custom_color(0);
+		}
 		tree_item_inspected = item;
 		tree_item_inspected->set_custom_color(0, get_theme_color(SNAME("accent_color"), EditorStringName(Editor)));
 	}
@@ -133,8 +133,9 @@ void SceneTreeDock::input(const Ref<InputEvent> &p_event) {
 		}
 
 		if (mb->is_released()) {
-			if (tree_item_inspected != nullptr) {
+			if (tree_item_inspected) {
 				tree_item_inspected->clear_custom_color(0);
+				tree_item_inspected = nullptr;
 			}
 			_reset_hovering_timer();
 		}