diff --git a/ionic/components/nav/nav-controller.ts b/ionic/components/nav/nav-controller.ts
index 3f956a00da..becdd99eb8 100644
--- a/ionic/components/nav/nav-controller.ts
+++ b/ionic/components/nav/nav-controller.ts
@@ -428,8 +428,8 @@ export class NavController extends Ion {
       opts = {};
     }
 
-    if (enteringView.usePortal && this._portal) {
-      return this._portal.present(enteringView, opts);
+    if (enteringView.usePortal && rootNav._portal) {
+      return rootNav._portal.present(enteringView, opts);
     }
 
     enteringView.setNav(rootNav);