diff --git a/openpype/pipeline/workfile/workfile_template_builder.py b/openpype/pipeline/workfile/workfile_template_builder.py
index 83d602fa79..489297efe4 100644
--- a/openpype/pipeline/workfile/workfile_template_builder.py
+++ b/openpype/pipeline/workfile/workfile_template_builder.py
@@ -1574,7 +1574,7 @@ class PlaceholderLoadMixin(object):
                 "population."
             )
             return
-        if not placeholder.data["keep_placeholder"]:
+        if not placeholder.data.get("keep_placeholder", True):
             self.delete_placeholder(placeholder)
 
     def load_failed(self, placeholder, representation):