diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/book.py b/bookwyrm/models/book.py
index 2b518b822..e6aa4d065 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/book.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/book.py
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ class Book(BookDataModel):
             if self.languages and self.languages[0] != "English"
             else None,
             str(self.published_date.year) if self.published_date else None,
-            ", ".join(self.publishers),
+            ", ".join(self.publishers) if hasattr(self, "publishers") else None,
         ]
         return ", ".join(i for i in items if i)