diff --git a/packages/notebook-extension/src/index.ts b/packages/notebook-extension/src/index.ts
index cd70b6c985..a0f1987745 100644
--- a/packages/notebook-extension/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/notebook-extension/src/index.ts
@@ -517,7 +517,7 @@ const editNotebookMetadata: JupyterFrontEndPlugin<void> = {
     translator: ITranslator | null,
     notebookTools: INotebookTools | null
   ) => {
-    const { commands } = app;
+    const { commands, shell } = app;
     translator = translator ?? nullTranslator;
     const trans = translator.load('notebook');
 
@@ -549,8 +549,7 @@ const editNotebookMetadata: JupyterFrontEndPlugin<void> = {
           });
         }
       },
-      isEnabled: () => { app.shell.currentWidget !== null &&
-          app.shell.currentWidget instanceof NotebookPanel }
+      isEnabled: () => shell.currentWidget !== null && shell.currentWidget instanceof NotebookPanel
     });
 
     if (palette) {