diff --git a/gramps/gen/db/write.py b/gramps/gen/db/write.py
index 85a61b7fa..7a7b0b767 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/db/write.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/db/write.py
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ def find_idmap(key, data):
     return val
 
 def find_parent(key, data):
-    if len(data[5]) > 0:
+    if hasattr(data[5], '__len__') and len(data[5]) > 0:
         val = data[5][0][0]
     else:
         val = ''