diff --git a/ecospheres_migrator/geonetwork.py b/ecospheres_migrator/geonetwork.py
index 38bcd00..ce6f297 100644
--- a/ecospheres_migrator/geonetwork.py
+++ b/ecospheres_migrator/geonetwork.py
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ def update_record(
         r = self.session.post(f"{self.api}/records/{uuid}/editor", data=data)
         r.raise_for_status()
 
-        if state.stage == WorkflowStage.APPROVED:
+        if state and state.stage == WorkflowStage.APPROVED:
             # If the record was already approved, transparently approve the working copy
             # we created above when updating the record.
             r = self.session.put(