diff --git a/src/View/SSViewer_DataPresenter.php b/src/View/SSViewer_DataPresenter.php
index 26cdf70c3de..9319f04d383 100644
--- a/src/View/SSViewer_DataPresenter.php
+++ b/src/View/SSViewer_DataPresenter.php
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ protected function getValueSource($property)
         // Check if the method to-be-called exists on the target object - if so, don't check any further
         // injection locations
         $on = $this->itemIterator ? $this->itemIterator->current() : $this->item;
-        if (isset($on->$property) || method_exists($on, $property ?? '')) {
+        if ($on && (isset($on->$property) || method_exists($on, $property ?? ''))) {
             return null;
         }