diff --git a/util/conditions/setter.go b/util/conditions/setter.go
index c387f0fc410c..dde10400f259 100644
--- a/util/conditions/setter.go
+++ b/util/conditions/setter.go
@@ -186,11 +186,17 @@ func Delete(to Setter, t clusterv1.ConditionType) {
 	to.SetConditions(newConditions)
 }
 
-// lexicographicLess returns true if a condition is less than another with regards to the
-// to order of conditions designed for convenience of the consumer, i.e. kubectl.
+// lexicographicLess returns true if a condition is less than another in regard to
+// the order of conditions designed for convenience of the consumer, i.e. kubectl.
 // According to this order the Ready condition always goes first, followed by all the other
 // conditions sorted by Type.
 func lexicographicLess(i, j *clusterv1.Condition) bool {
+	if i == nil {
+		return true
+	}
+	if j == nil {
+		return false
+	}
 	return (i.Type == clusterv1.ReadyCondition || i.Type < j.Type) && j.Type != clusterv1.ReadyCondition
 }
 
diff --git a/util/conditions/setter_test.go b/util/conditions/setter_test.go
index 57c3a770e629..8828ce9e13a2 100644
--- a/util/conditions/setter_test.go
+++ b/util/conditions/setter_test.go
@@ -84,6 +84,12 @@ func TestLexicographicLess(t *testing.T) {
 	a = TrueCondition("A")
 	b = TrueCondition(clusterv1.ReadyCondition)
 	g.Expect(lexicographicLess(a, b)).To(BeFalse())
+
+	a = TrueCondition("A")
+	g.Expect(lexicographicLess(a, nil1)).To(BeFalse())
+
+	b = TrueCondition("A")
+	g.Expect(lexicographicLess(nil1, b)).To(BeTrue())
 }
 
 func TestSet(t *testing.T) {