diff --git a/gramps/gen/db/read.py b/gramps/gen/db/read.py
index ed885b0f7..486386374 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/db/read.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/db/read.py
@@ -745,6 +745,7 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         return self.get_from_handle(handle, Tag, self.tag_map)
 
     def __get_obj_from_gramps_id(self, val, tbl, class_, prim_tbl):
+        if isinstance(tbl, dict): return None ## trying to get object too early        
         if isinstance(val, UNITYPE):
             val = val.encode('utf-8')
         try: