diff --git a/client/ayon_core/hosts/maya/api/workfile_template_builder.py b/client/ayon_core/hosts/maya/api/workfile_template_builder.py
index cb25a722f0..75386d7e64 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/hosts/maya/api/workfile_template_builder.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/hosts/maya/api/workfile_template_builder.py
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ class MayaPlaceholderLoadPlugin(PlaceholderPlugin, PlaceholderLoadMixin):
         if not container:
             return
 
-        roots = cmds.sets(container, q=True)
+        roots = cmds.sets(container, q=True) or []
         ref_node = None
         try:
             ref_node = get_reference_node(roots)