diff --git a/jdaviz/core/template_mixin.py b/jdaviz/core/template_mixin.py
index 67cbfcb610..cc0df74f5e 100644
--- a/jdaviz/core/template_mixin.py
+++ b/jdaviz/core/template_mixin.py
@@ -2810,7 +2810,7 @@ class DatasetSpectralSubsetValidMixin(VuetifyTemplate, HubListener):
 
     @observe("dataset_selected", "spectral_subset_selected")
     def _check_dataset_spectral_subset_valid(self, event={}, return_ranges=False):
-        if not hasattr(self, 'dataset'):
+        if not hasattr(self, 'dataset') or self.dataset.selected_obj is None:
             # plugin not fully initialized
             return
         if self.spectral_subset_selected == "Entire Spectrum":