Problem with "Dialog without using DialogService"

[parsalotfy]

I am using the dialog without dialog service from here

<FluentDialog @ref="_myFluentDialog"  aria-label="Simple dialog" Modal=true >
    <p>Hi</p>
</FluentDialog>

in code section:

private FluentDialog? _myFluentDialog;

protected override void OnAfterRender(bool firstRender)
    {
        if (firstRender)
            _myFluentDialog!.Hide();
    }

Problem:

when it reaches OnAfterRender, it gives nullreference exception on _myFluentDialog.
But if I add these it will work correctly:

 @bind-Hidden="@Hidden" 
 
 private bool Hidden { get; set; } = true;

why it happens? why should I add bind-Hidden to make it work?

[vnbaaij]

You are referencing the @ref a bit too early. I think it is because the dialog is not actually in the dom yet at the point where you are calling it.