diff --git a/messaging.js b/messaging.js
index 5e4766c3..72a0fa0a 100644
--- a/messaging.js
+++ b/messaging.js
@@ -143,7 +143,8 @@ function openURL({url, currentWindow = true}) {
       }
       getActiveTab().then(tab => {
         if (tab && tab.url == 'chrome://newtab/'
-        && (!url.startsWith(URLS.ownOrigin) || !tab.incognito)) {
+        // prevent redirecting incognito NTP to a chrome URL as it crashes Chrome
+        && (!url.startsWith('chrome') || !tab.incognito)) {
           chrome.tabs.update({url}, resolve);
         } else {
           chrome.tabs.create(tab && !FIREFOX ? {url, openerTabId: tab.id} : {url}, resolve);