ref is undefined in componentDidMount

[sourabhdebnath]

The ref is undefined in componentDidMount. We have a condition where we need to show the modal when the components first render. Here is the code snippet

componentDidMount() {
  this.skylightModal.show();
}
...
render(){
...
<SkyLight
     hideOnOverlayClicked ref={ref => this.skylightModal = ref}
 >...
...
}

However, in componentDidMount, it throws the following error -

Uncaught TypeError: Cannot read property 'show' of undefined

Not sure if I am doing something wrong. Kindly help here.