diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/grease_pencil.cc b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/grease_pencil.cc
index cb43d0f83ac..1ef2e95d950 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/grease_pencil.cc
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/grease_pencil.cc
@@ -481,7 +481,10 @@ Layer &TreeNode::as_layer_for_write()
 
 LayerGroup *TreeNode::parent_group() const
 {
-  return &this->parent->wrap();
+  if (this->parent) {
+    return &this->parent->wrap();
+  }
+  return nullptr;
 }
 
 LayerMask::LayerMask()