diff --git a/app/models/relayable_retraction.rb b/app/models/relayable_retraction.rb
index d1758bc40..c5fdf7290 100644
--- a/app/models/relayable_retraction.rb
+++ b/app/models/relayable_retraction.rb
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ class RelayableRetraction < SignedRetraction
   end
 
   def parent
+    return nil unless self.target.present?
     self.target.parent
   end
 
diff --git a/lib/diaspora/relayable.rb b/lib/diaspora/relayable.rb
index c282b0e68..18f62bff4 100644
--- a/lib/diaspora/relayable.rb
+++ b/lib/diaspora/relayable.rb
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ module Diaspora
 
     # @return [String]
     def parent_guid
+      return nil unless parent.present?
       self.parent.guid
     end