diff --git a/lua/dapui/components/variables.lua b/lua/dapui/components/variables.lua
index af8f90e..9924150 100644
--- a/lua/dapui/components/variables.lua
+++ b/lua/dapui/components/variables.lua
@@ -103,6 +103,12 @@ function Variables:render(render_state, parent_ref, variables, indent)
       local child_vars = self.state:variables(variable.variablesReference)
       if not child_vars then
         render_state:invalidate()
+        -- Happens when the parent component is collapsed and the variable
+        -- reference changes when re-opened.  The name is recorded as opened
+        -- but the variable reference is not yet monitored.
+        if not self.state:is_monitored(variable.variablesReference) then
+          self.state:monitor(variable.variablesReference)
+        end
         return
       else
         self:_get_child_component(variable.name):render(
diff --git a/lua/dapui/render/loop.lua b/lua/dapui/render/loop.lua
index 2ba4986..0be4a25 100644
--- a/lua/dapui/render/loop.lua
+++ b/lua/dapui/render/loop.lua
@@ -103,7 +103,6 @@ function M.run(element_names)
             end
           end
         end
-      else
       end
     end
   end
diff --git a/lua/dapui/state.lua b/lua/dapui/state.lua
index e8c74bb..8a8f9aa 100644
--- a/lua/dapui/state.lua
+++ b/lua/dapui/state.lua
@@ -161,6 +161,10 @@ function UIState:monitor(var_ref)
   end)
 end
 
+function UIState:is_monitored(var_ref)
+  return self._monitored_vars[var_ref] ~= nil
+end
+
 function UIState:stop_monitor(var_ref)
   self._monitored_vars[var_ref] = (self._monitored_vars[var_ref] or 1) - 1
   if self._monitored_vars[var_ref] then
diff --git a/tests/unit/components/variables_spec.lua b/tests/unit/components/variables_spec.lua
index a132cb6..6793f2a 100644
--- a/tests/unit/components/variables_spec.lua
+++ b/tests/unit/components/variables_spec.lua
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ describe("checking variables", function()
       monitor = function(_, ref)
         monitored[ref] = true
       end,
+      is_monitored = function(_, ref)
+        return monitored[ref] ~= nil
+      end,
       stop_monitor = function(_, ref)
         monitored[ref] = nil
       end,
@@ -182,6 +185,22 @@ describe("checking variables", function()
       local render_state = render.new_state()
       local component = Variables(mock_state)
 
+      local vars = mock_state:variables(1)
+      component:render(render_state, 1, vars)
+      render_state.mappings["expand"][1][1]()
+      render_state = render.new_state()
+      mock_state.variables = function()
+        return nil
+      end
+      vars[1].variablesReference = 10
+      component:render(render_state, 1, vars)
+      assert.True(monitored[10])
+    end)
+
+    it("monitors child var when variable reference is changed", function()
+      local render_state = render.new_state()
+      local component = Variables(mock_state)
+
       local vars = mock_state:variables(1)
       component:render(render_state, 1, vars)
       render_state.mappings["expand"][1][1]()