diff --git a/src/ifcparse/IfcParse.cpp b/src/ifcparse/IfcParse.cpp
index c1e2895b7c..d0ccb44aa6 100644
--- a/src/ifcparse/IfcParse.cpp
+++ b/src/ifcparse/IfcParse.cpp
@@ -2240,7 +2240,7 @@ void IfcFile::process_deletion_() {
 			}
 		}
 
-		if (entity->declaration().is(*ifcroot_type_)) {
+		if (entity->declaration().is(*ifcroot_type_) && !entity->data().getArgument(0)->isNull()) {
 			const std::string global_id = *entity->data().getArgument(0);
 			auto it = byguid.find(global_id);
 			if (it != byguid.end()) {