diff --git a/app/models/taskbar.rb b/app/models/taskbar.rb
index 3a0310742..e84519293 100644
--- a/app/models/taskbar.rb
+++ b/app/models/taskbar.rb
@@ -55,6 +55,9 @@ class Taskbar < ApplicationModel
     return true if local_update
 
     # find other same open tasks
+    if !preferences
+      preferences = {}
+    end
     preferences[:tasks] = []
     Taskbar.where(key: key).order(:created_at).each { |taskbar|
       if taskbar.id == id