diff --git a/standalone/src/DelphesPythia8Reader.h b/standalone/src/DelphesPythia8Reader.h
index a0d4151..f238433 100644
--- a/standalone/src/DelphesPythia8Reader.h
+++ b/standalone/src/DelphesPythia8Reader.h
@@ -152,7 +152,9 @@ class DelphesPythia8Reader : public DelphesInputReader {
         return false;
       }
       modularDelphes->Clear();
-      reader->Clear();
+      if (reader) {
+        reader->Clear();
+      }
     }
     m_readStopWatch.Stop();
     m_procStopWatch.Start();