diff --git a/src/to-have-text-content.ts b/src/to-have-text-content.ts
index 6a7e51b..a8da0c5 100644
--- a/src/to-have-text-content.ts
+++ b/src/to-have-text-content.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ function collectNormalizedText(element: ReactTestInstance) {
 
 function collectChildrenText(element: ReactTestInstance | string): string[] {
   if (typeof element === 'string') return [element];
-  if (!element || !element.children) return [];
+  if (!element?.children) return [];
 
   const result: string[] = [];
   element.children.forEach((child) => {