diff --git a/mobile/lib/presentation/widgets/asset_viewer/asset_viewer.page.dart b/mobile/lib/presentation/widgets/asset_viewer/asset_viewer.page.dart
index abef9ceff8..25f99e2361 100644
--- a/mobile/lib/presentation/widgets/asset_viewer/asset_viewer.page.dart
+++ b/mobile/lib/presentation/widgets/asset_viewer/asset_viewer.page.dart
@@ -174,6 +174,12 @@ class _AssetViewerState extends ConsumerState<AssetViewer> {
       return;
     }
 
+    // The viewer is closing; don't flip the current asset now. Flipping it swaps
+    // the grid tile hero keys mid pop and animates the close on two tiles (#23779).
+    if (!mounted || !(ModalRoute.of(context)?.isActive ?? true)) {
+      return;
+    }
+
     AssetViewer._setAsset(ref, asset);
     _preloader.preload(index, context.sizeData);
     _handleCasting();