diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/rule/RuleServiceImpl.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/rule/RuleServiceImpl.java
index ac31a18ba8..9bf1eea747 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/rule/RuleServiceImpl.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/rule/RuleServiceImpl.java
@@ -924,7 +924,7 @@ public class RuleServiceImpl implements RuleService, RuntimeRuleService
 	private boolean checkForCopy(Set<ExecutedRuleData> executedRules, NodeRef actionedUponNodeRef, Rule rule)
 	{
 		boolean result = true;
-		if (this.nodeService.hasAspect(actionedUponNodeRef, ContentModel.ASPECT_COPIEDFROM) == true)
+		if (this.nodeService.exists(actionedUponNodeRef) == true && this.nodeService.hasAspect(actionedUponNodeRef, ContentModel.ASPECT_COPIEDFROM) == true)
 		{
 			if (logger.isDebugEnabled() == true)
 			{