diff --git a/src/plugins/textreport/BirthdayReport.py b/src/plugins/textreport/BirthdayReport.py
index d9bed5957..5a0a01ace 100644
--- a/src/plugins/textreport/BirthdayReport.py
+++ b/src/plugins/textreport/BirthdayReport.py
@@ -255,7 +255,10 @@ class CalendarReport(Report):
                                 if father_handle:
                                     father = self.database.get_person_from_handle(father_handle)
                                     if father is not None:
-                                        father_lastname = father.get_primary_name().surname
+                                        primary_name = father.get_primary_name()
+                                        if primary_name:
+                                            father_lastname = primary_name.get_primary_surname()
+
                 short_name = self.get_name(person, father_lastname)
 
                 alive = probably_alive(person, self.database, prob_alive_date)