diff --git a/server/aap/publish/formatters/aap_apple_news_formatter.py b/server/aap/publish/formatters/aap_apple_news_formatter.py
index 411fdf03b..da24b5493 100644
--- a/server/aap/publish/formatters/aap_apple_news_formatter.py
+++ b/server/aap/publish/formatters/aap_apple_news_formatter.py
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ def _remove_unwanted_embeds(self, article):
 
         # can only handle pictures at the moment
         for key, item in (article.get("associations") or {}).items():
-            if key.startswith("editor_") and item.get("type") != 'picture':
+            if item and key.startswith("editor_") and item.get("type", "") != 'picture':
                 remove_keys.append(key)
 
         self._remove_embeds(article, remove_keys)
diff --git a/server/aap/publish/formatters/aap_apple_news_formatter_tests.py b/server/aap/publish/formatters/aap_apple_news_formatter_tests.py
index f96512742..f4ac3f698 100644
--- a/server/aap/publish/formatters/aap_apple_news_formatter_tests.py
+++ b/server/aap/publish/formatters/aap_apple_news_formatter_tests.py
@@ -114,7 +114,8 @@ def test_format_article_with_embeds(self):
                                                                         'Extinction Rebellion rally in Sydney, '
                                                                         'Thursday, October 31, 2019.'},
                                    'editor_0': {'type': 'video'},
-                                   'editor_1': {'type': 'picture'}}
+                                   'editor_1': {'type': 'picture'},
+                                   'editor_2': None}
         article['fields_meta'] = {
             "body_html": {
                 "draftjsState": [