diff --git a/ApplicationLibCode/ProjectDataModel/CellFilters/RimCellFilterCollection.cpp b/ApplicationLibCode/ProjectDataModel/CellFilters/RimCellFilterCollection.cpp
index 83e4e06b5c..8e4525d625 100644
--- a/ApplicationLibCode/ProjectDataModel/CellFilters/RimCellFilterCollection.cpp
+++ b/ApplicationLibCode/ProjectDataModel/CellFilters/RimCellFilterCollection.cpp
@@ -125,7 +125,11 @@ void RimCellFilterCollection::initAfterRead()
         m_cellFilters.push_back( filter );
     }
 
-    auto rimCase = firstAncestorOrThisOfTypeAsserted<RimCase>();
+    // Copy by xml serialization does not give a RimCase parent the first time initAfterRead is called here when creating a new a contour
+    // view from a 3d view. The second time we get called it is ok, so just skip setting up the filter connections if we have no case.
+    auto rimCase = firstAncestorOrThisOfType<RimCase>();
+    if ( rimCase == nullptr ) return;
+
     for ( const auto& filter : m_cellFilters )
     {
         filter->setCase( rimCase );