diff --git a/plugins/chat/assets/javascripts/discourse/models/user-chat-channel-membership.js b/plugins/chat/assets/javascripts/discourse/models/user-chat-channel-membership.js
index 7013a0533cb..84a7d55cf98 100644
--- a/plugins/chat/assets/javascripts/discourse/models/user-chat-channel-membership.js
+++ b/plugins/chat/assets/javascripts/discourse/models/user-chat-channel-membership.js
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ UserChatChannelMembership.reopenClass({
   },
 
   _initUser(args) {
-    if (args.user instanceof User) {
+    if (!args.user || args.user instanceof User) {
       return;
     }