diff --git a/bookwyrm/templatetags/book_display_tags.py b/bookwyrm/templatetags/book_display_tags.py
index 9db79f8e4..2ae900c9e 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templatetags/book_display_tags.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/templatetags/book_display_tags.py
@@ -8,7 +8,12 @@ register = template.Library()
 @register.filter(name="book_description")
 def get_book_description(book):
     """use the work's text if the book doesn't have it"""
-    return book.description or book.parent_work.description
+    if book.description:
+        return book.description
+    if book.parent_work:
+        # this shoud always be true
+        return book.parent_work.description
+    return None
 
 
 @register.simple_tag(takes_context=False)