diff --git a/packages/core/src/hooks/useTransition.tsx b/packages/core/src/hooks/useTransition.tsx
index 940b55e6ee..50546961b7 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/hooks/useTransition.tsx
+++ b/packages/core/src/hooks/useTransition.tsx
@@ -436,9 +436,9 @@ export function useTransition(
         const key = is.str(t.key) || is.num(t.key) ? t.key : t.ctrl.id
         const isLegacyReact = React.version < '19.0.0'
 
-        const props = elem?.props ?? {}
+        const props = { ...elem?.props }
 
-        if (isLegacyReact) {
+        if (isLegacyReact && elem && elem.type) {
           props.ref = elem.ref
         }