diff --git a/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/peoplemodel.py b/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/peoplemodel.py
index 89d529ddc..e823ea39d 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/peoplemodel.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/peoplemodel.py
@@ -532,8 +532,9 @@ class PeopleBaseModel(BaseModel):
         """
         cached, value = self.get_cached_value(tag_handle, "TAG_NAME")
         if not cached:
-            if self.db.get_tag_from_handle(tag_handle):
-                value = self.db.get_tag_from_handle(tag_handle).get_name()
+            tag = self.db.get_tag_from_handle(tag_handle)
+            if tag:
+                value = tag.get_name()
                 self.set_cached_value(tag_handle, "TAG_NAME", value)
         return value