diff --git a/src/business/business-core/gncOwner.c b/src/business/business-core/gncOwner.c
index 60631ba0ac..65866ee87b 100644
--- a/src/business/business-core/gncOwner.c
+++ b/src/business/business-core/gncOwner.c
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ gboolean gncOwnerGetOwnerFromLot (GNCLot *lot, GncOwner *owner)
   GNCBook *book;
   GncOwnerType type;
 
-  if (!lot) return FALSE;
+  if (!lot || !owner) return FALSE;
 
   book = gnc_lot_get_book (lot);
   kvp = gnc_lot_get_slots (lot);