diff --git a/k4FWCore/include/k4FWCore/IMetadataSvc.h b/k4FWCore/include/k4FWCore/IMetadataSvc.h
index 019af862..8ad64727 100644
--- a/k4FWCore/include/k4FWCore/IMetadataSvc.h
+++ b/k4FWCore/include/k4FWCore/IMetadataSvc.h
@@ -37,7 +37,13 @@ class IMetadataSvc : virtual public IInterface {
     getFrame()->putParameter(name, obj);
   }
 
-  template <typename T> std::optional<T> get(const std::string& name) { return getFrame()->getParameter<T>(name); }
+  template <typename T> std::optional<T> get(const std::string& name) {
+    auto* frame = getFrame();
+    if (!frame) {
+      return std::nullopt;
+    }
+    return frame->getParameter<T>(name);
+  }
 };
 
 #endif