diff --git a/src/pyj/range_utils.pyj b/src/pyj/range_utils.pyj
index a69a1116ec..540f3f9a63 100644
--- a/src/pyj/range_utils.pyj
+++ b/src/pyj/range_utils.pyj
@@ -240,21 +240,19 @@ def reset_highlight_counter():
 
 
 def get_annot_id_for(node, offset, annot_id_uuid_map):
-
     if not node:
         return
     if node.nodeType is Node.ELEMENT_NODE:
         if node.dataset.calibreRangeWrapper:
             return annot_id_uuid_map[node.dataset.calibreRangeWrapper]
         if offset is 0:
-
-            if node.firstChild?.nodeType is Node.ELEMENT_NODE and node.firstChild.dataset.calibreRangeWrapper:
+            if node.firstChild?.nodeType is Node.ELEMENT_NODE and node.firstChild.dataset?.calibreRangeWrapper:
                 return annot_id_uuid_map[node.firstChild.dataset.calibreRangeWrapper]
         elif offset < node.childNodes.length:
             node = node.childNodes[offset]
             return get_annot_id_for(node, 0, annot_id_uuid_map)
     elif node.nodeType is Node.TEXT_NODE:
-        if node.parentNode?.nodeType is Node.ELEMENT_NODE and node.parentNode.dataset.calibreRangeWrapper:
+        if node.parentNode?.nodeType is Node.ELEMENT_NODE and node.parentNode.dataset?.calibreRangeWrapper:
             return annot_id_uuid_map[node.parentNode.dataset.calibreRangeWrapper]