diff --git a/lib/models/data-model.js b/lib/models/data-model.js
index ade8d8bf..7580c9ee 100644
--- a/lib/models/data-model.js
+++ b/lib/models/data-model.js
@@ -773,6 +773,10 @@ DataModel.createUpdates = function(deltas, cb) {
         tasks.push(function(cb) {
           Model.findById(change.modelId, function(err, inst) {
             if(err) return cb(err);
+            if(!inst) {
+              console.error('missing data for change:', change);
+              return callback();
+            }
             if(inst.toObject) {
               update.data = inst.toObject();
             } else {