diff --git a/lemur/certificates/views.py b/lemur/certificates/views.py
index b6cb597d..fb8b70d5 100644
--- a/lemur/certificates/views.py
+++ b/lemur/certificates/views.py
@@ -572,7 +572,8 @@ class Certificates(AuthenticatedResource):
 
         cert = service.get(certificate_id)
         role = role_service.get_by_name(cert.owner)
-        permission = UpdateCertificatePermission(certificate_id, role.name)
+
+        permission = UpdateCertificatePermission(certificate_id, getattr(role, 'name', None))
 
         if permission.can():
             return service.update(