     private var tapRecognizer: UITapGestureRecognizer!
     private let originalAutoCorrectionType: UITextAutocorrectionType
     private let originalTextColor: UIColor
-    private var userNameMatches: [MentionUser]?
+    private var userNameMatches = [MentionUser]()
 
     private var mentionCache = [Int : Int]()
 

    // MARK: UITableViewDataSource

    public func tableView(tableView: UITableView, numberOfRowsInSection section: Int) -> Int {
        return userNameMatches?.count ?? 0
    }

    public func tableView(tableView: UITableView, cellForRowAtIndexPath indexPath: NSIndexPath) -> UITableViewCell {
        var cell = tableView.dequeueReusableCellWithIdentifier(MentionCellIdentifier, forIndexPath: indexPath) as? MentionUserCell
        let user = userNameMatches?[indexPath.row]
        cell?.mentionUser = user

        return cell as? UITableViewCell ?? UITableViewCell()

            else { return }

        injectMention(forUser: user)
        userNameMatches.removeAll()
        refreshTableView()

        view?.becomeFirstResponder()
