diff --git a/core/modules/widgets/importvariables.js b/core/modules/widgets/importvariables.js
index cdb351f8d..86559ef25 100644
--- a/core/modules/widgets/importvariables.js
+++ b/core/modules/widgets/importvariables.js
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ ImportVariablesWidget.prototype.execute = function(tiddlerList) {
 					params: parseTreeNode.params,
 					isMacroDefinition: parseTreeNode.isMacroDefinition
 				});
-				parseTreeNode = parseTreeNode.children[0];
+				parseTreeNode = parseTreeNode.children && parseTreeNode.children[0];
 			}
 		} 
 	});