diff --git a/lib/guardian/post_guardian.rb b/lib/guardian/post_guardian.rb
index c58ffff15c..dd7504fa70 100644
--- a/lib/guardian/post_guardian.rb
+++ b/lib/guardian/post_guardian.rb
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ module PostGuardian
       )
     )
 
-    if post.topic.archived? || post.user_deleted || post.deleted_at
+    if post.topic&.archived? || post.user_deleted || post.deleted_at
       return false
     end