diff --git a/java/vector/src/main/java/org/apache/arrow/vector/complex/ListVector.java b/java/vector/src/main/java/org/apache/arrow/vector/complex/ListVector.java
index 52e5307e139..730068034b7 100644
--- a/java/vector/src/main/java/org/apache/arrow/vector/complex/ListVector.java
+++ b/java/vector/src/main/java/org/apache/arrow/vector/complex/ListVector.java
@@ -678,6 +678,7 @@ public UnionVector promoteToUnion() {
   }
 
   protected void invalidateReader() {
+    fieldReader = null;
     reader = null;
   }