diff --git a/packages/flutter_chat/lib/src/config/chat_builders.dart b/packages/flutter_chat/lib/src/config/chat_builders.dart
index bb66518..3e8919e 100644
--- a/packages/flutter_chat/lib/src/config/chat_builders.dart
+++ b/packages/flutter_chat/lib/src/config/chat_builders.dart
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class ChatBuilders {
   final ImagePickerContainerBuilder? imagePickerContainerBuilder;
 
   /// The loading widget builder
-  final Widget? Function(BuildContext context) loadingWidgetBuilder;
+  final Widget Function(BuildContext context) loadingWidgetBuilder;
 }
 
 /// The button builder
diff --git a/packages/flutter_chat/lib/src/screens/chat_detail/chat_detail_screen.dart b/packages/flutter_chat/lib/src/screens/chat_detail/chat_detail_screen.dart
index 9adf9b9..cd607f1 100644
--- a/packages/flutter_chat/lib/src/screens/chat_detail/chat_detail_screen.dart
+++ b/packages/flutter_chat/lib/src/screens/chat_detail/chat_detail_screen.dart
@@ -323,9 +323,9 @@ class _ChatBody extends HookWidget {
             ),
           ],
         ),
-        if (showIndicator.value && options.enableLoadingIndicator)
-          options.builders.loadingWidgetBuilder(context) ??
-              const SizedBox.shrink(),
+        if (showIndicator.value && options.enableLoadingIndicator) ...[
+          options.builders.loadingWidgetBuilder(context),
+        ],
       ],
     );
   }