diff --git a/lua/codecompanion/strategies/chat/keymaps.lua b/lua/codecompanion/strategies/chat/keymaps.lua
index 4ad050be..421619a9 100644
--- a/lua/codecompanion/strategies/chat/keymaps.lua
+++ b/lua/codecompanion/strategies/chat/keymaps.lua
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ M.change_adapter = {
       -- Update the system prompt
       local system_prompt = config.opts.system_prompt
       if type(system_prompt) == "function" then
-        if chat.messages[1].role == "system" then
+        if chat.messages[1] and chat.messages[1].role == "system" then
           chat.messages[1].content = system_prompt(chat.adapter)
         end
       end