diff --git a/dspace-api/src/main/java/org/dspace/access/status/DefaultAccessStatusHelper.java b/dspace-api/src/main/java/org/dspace/access/status/DefaultAccessStatusHelper.java
index e7055181aa9..9b5227491bc 100644
--- a/dspace-api/src/main/java/org/dspace/access/status/DefaultAccessStatusHelper.java
+++ b/dspace-api/src/main/java/org/dspace/access/status/DefaultAccessStatusHelper.java
@@ -198,6 +198,10 @@ public String getEmbargoFromItem(Context context, Item item)
                     .orElse(null);
         }
 
+        if (bitstream == null) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
         embargoDate = this.retrieveLongestEmbargo(context, bitstream);
 
         return embargoDate != null ? embargoDate.toString() : null;