diff --git a/src/libraries/JANA/Topology/JFoldArrow.h b/src/libraries/JANA/Topology/JFoldArrow.h
index c865c5b62..c7b9b193f 100644
--- a/src/libraries/JANA/Topology/JFoldArrow.h
+++ b/src/libraries/JANA/Topology/JFoldArrow.h
@@ -93,8 +93,10 @@ class JFoldArrow : public JTriggeredArrow<JFoldArrow> {
             throw JException("JFoldArrow received a child with the wrong event level");
         }
 
-        auto parent = const_cast<JEvent*>(&event->GetParent(m_parent_level));
-        m_folder->DoFold(*event, *parent);
+        if (m_folder != nullptr) {
+            auto parent = const_cast<JEvent*>(&event->GetParent(m_parent_level));
+            m_folder->DoFold(*event, *parent);
+        }
 
         status = JArrowMetrics::Status::KeepGoing;
         outputs[0] = {event, CHILD_OUT};