diff --git a/lib/erase.js b/lib/erase.js
index 5e5e6f74..c6509325 100644
--- a/lib/erase.js
+++ b/lib/erase.js
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ Gun.on('opt', function(ctx){
 			if(tmp){
 				delete tmp[key];
 			}
-			tmp = tmp._ && tmp._['>'];
+			tmp = tmp && tmp._ && tmp._['>'];
 			if(tmp){
 				delete tmp[key];
 			}