diff --git a/src/scripts/lib/common-utils.lua b/src/scripts/lib/common-utils.lua
index b6715786..54439061 100644
--- a/src/scripts/lib/common-utils.lua
+++ b/src/scripts/lib/common-utils.lua
@@ -73,6 +73,10 @@ end
 
 function cutils.evaluateRulesApplyProperties (properties, name)
   local section = Conf.get_section (name)
+  if not section then
+    return
+  end
+
   local matched, mprops = JsonUtils.match_rules_update_properties (
       section, properties)