diff --git a/lib/Alchemy/Phrasea/Controller/Prod/ToolsController.php b/lib/Alchemy/Phrasea/Controller/Prod/ToolsController.php
index 65f72a8a36..20291ec2c3 100644
--- a/lib/Alchemy/Phrasea/Controller/Prod/ToolsController.php
+++ b/lib/Alchemy/Phrasea/Controller/Prod/ToolsController.php
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ class ToolsController extends Controller
                             continue;
                         }
                         $label = $this->app->trans('prod::tools: document');
-                    } elseif ($databoxSubdefs->hasSubdef($subdefName)) {
+                    } elseif ($databoxSubdefs !== null && $databoxSubdefs->hasSubdef($subdefName)) {
                         if (!$acl->has_access_to_subdef($record, $subdefName)) {
                             continue;
                         }