diff --git a/backend/flowcell/serializers.py b/backend/flowcell/serializers.py
index 25ec4b0a3..c3c31e52f 100644
--- a/backend/flowcell/serializers.py
+++ b/backend/flowcell/serializers.py
@@ -103,7 +103,10 @@ def get_protocol(self, obj):
         records = obj.pool.libraries.all() or obj.pool.samples.all()
 
         for record in records:
-            protocols.append(record.library_protocol.name)
+            if record.library_protocol:
+                protocols.append(record.library_protocol.name)
+            else:
+                protocols.append(None)
 
         if len(protocols) == 1 or len(set(protocols)) == 1:
             return protocols[0]