diff --git a/platform/nativescript/renderer/ViewNode.js b/platform/nativescript/renderer/ViewNode.js
index c5eddb98..571fe523 100644
--- a/platform/nativescript/renderer/ViewNode.js
+++ b/platform/nativescript/renderer/ViewNode.js
@@ -165,13 +165,11 @@ export default class ViewNode {
       throw new Error(`Can't insert child.`)
     }
 
-    // in some rare cases insertBefore is called with a null referenceNode
-    // this makes sure that it get's appended as the last child
-    if (!referenceNode) {
-      return this.appendChild(childNode)
-    }
-
-    if (referenceNode.parentNode && referenceNode.parentNode !== this) {
+    if (
+      referenceNode &&
+      referenceNode.parentNode &&
+      referenceNode.parentNode !== this
+    ) {
       throw new Error(
         `Can't insert child, because the reference node has a different parent.`
       )
@@ -197,9 +195,17 @@ export default class ViewNode {
       // throw new Error(`Can't insert child, because it is already a child.`)
     }
 
+    // in some rare cases insertBefore is called with a null referenceNode
+    // this makes sure that it get's appended as the last child
+    if (!referenceNode) {
+      return this.appendChild(childNode)
+    }
+
     let index = this.childNodes.indexOf(referenceNode)
 
     childNode.parentNode = this
+    if (childNode.prevSibling) childNode.prevSibling.nextSibling = childNode
+
     childNode.nextSibling = referenceNode
     childNode.prevSibling = this.childNodes[index - 1]
 
@@ -220,16 +226,7 @@ export default class ViewNode {
       )
     }
 
-    if (childNode.parentNode === this) {
-      // we don't need to throw an error here, because it is a valid case
-      // for example when switching the order of elements in the tree
-      // fixes #127 - see for more details
-      // fixes #240
-      // throw new Error(`Can't append child, because it is already a child.`)
-    }
-
     childNode.parentNode = this
-
     if (this.lastChild) {
       childNode.prevSibling = this.lastChild
       this.lastChild.nextSibling = childNode