diff --git a/app/qml/form/editors/MMFormPhotoEditor.qml b/app/qml/form/editors/MMFormPhotoEditor.qml
index e0dccf360..17d29c81e 100644
--- a/app/qml/form/editors/MMFormPhotoEditor.qml
+++ b/app/qml/form/editors/MMFormPhotoEditor.qml
@@ -133,8 +133,8 @@ MMFormPhotoViewer {
     onDeleteImage: {
       // schedule the image for deletion
       internal.imageSourceToDelete = imageDeleteDialog.imagePath
-      root.sketchingController.removeBackupSketches()
-      root.sketchingController.clear()
+      root.sketchingController?.removeBackupSketches()
+      root.sketchingController?.clear()
       resetValueAndClose()
     }