diff --git a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/model/storyboard.py b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/model/storyboard.py
index c4e30817..29c13af7 100644
--- a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/model/storyboard.py
+++ b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/model/storyboard.py
@@ -786,3 +786,12 @@ def _sort_entries(self) -> None:
         """Sort the items in the storyboard in ascending order of start time."""
         # Sort the items in the storyboard itself
         sort_collection(self.entries, key=StoryboardEntry.sort_key)
+
+
+@with_context
+def get_storyboard(context: Optional[Context] = None) -> Storyboard:
+    """Helper function to retrieve the storyboard of the add-on from the
+    given context object.
+    """
+    assert context is not None
+    return context.scene.skybrush.storyboard
diff --git a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/add_markers_from_zipped_csv.py b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/add_markers_from_zipped_csv.py
index bc9b92a0..8c0fb89a 100644
--- a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/add_markers_from_zipped_csv.py
+++ b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/add_markers_from_zipped_csv.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
     find_f_curve_for_data_path_and_index,
 )
 from sbstudio.plugin.model.formation import add_points_to_formation
+from sbstudio.plugin.model.storyboard import get_storyboard
 
 from .base import FormationOperator
 
@@ -73,8 +74,8 @@ def execute_on_formation(self, formation, context):
         fps = context.scene.render.fps
 
         # try to figure out the start frame of this formation
-        storyboard_entry = (
-            context.scene.skybrush.storyboard.get_first_entry_for_formation(formation)
+        storyboard_entry = get_storyboard(context).get_first_entry_for_formation(
+            formation
         )
         frame_start = (
             storyboard_entry.frame_start
diff --git a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/base.py b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/base.py
index ccb509f5..5fded64a 100644
--- a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/base.py
+++ b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/base.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
     add_points_to_formation,
     get_markers_from_formation,
 )
+from sbstudio.plugin.model.storyboard import get_storyboard
 from sbstudio.plugin.props.frame_range import FrameRangeProperty
 from sbstudio.plugin.selection import select_only
 from sbstudio.plugin.selection import Collections
@@ -78,7 +79,7 @@ def poll(cls, context):
         return context.scene.skybrush and context.scene.skybrush.storyboard
 
     def execute(self, context):
-        storyboard = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard
+        storyboard = get_storyboard(context)
 
         validate = getattr(self.__class__, "only_with_valid_storyboard", False)
 
@@ -108,7 +109,7 @@ def poll(cls, context):
         )
 
     def execute(self, context):
-        entry = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard.active_entry
+        entry = get_storyboard(context).active_entry
         return self.execute_on_storyboard_entry(entry, context)
 
 
@@ -240,10 +241,8 @@ def execute_on_formation(self, formation, context):
         # Add a light effect containing the colors of the markers if needed
         if should_import_colors:
             # try to figure out the start frame of this formation
-            storyboard_entry = (
-                context.scene.skybrush.storyboard.get_first_entry_for_formation(
-                    formation
-                )
+            storyboard_entry = get_storyboard(context).get_first_entry_for_formation(
+                formation
             )
             frame_start = (
                 storyboard_entry.frame_start
diff --git a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/create_takeoff_grid.py b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/create_takeoff_grid.py
index 47a71c6f..4c9736e9 100644
--- a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/create_takeoff_grid.py
+++ b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/create_takeoff_grid.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
     create_keyframe_for_diffuse_color_of_material,
 )
 from sbstudio.plugin.model.formation import add_points_to_formation, create_formation
+from sbstudio.plugin.model.storyboard import get_storyboard
 from sbstudio.plugin.operators.detach_materials_from_template import (
     detach_material_from_drone_template,
 )
@@ -335,7 +336,7 @@ def _run(self, context):
         # points if there is one
         takeoff_grid = Formations.find_takeoff_grid(create=False)
         if not takeoff_grid:
-            storyboard = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard
+            storyboard = get_storyboard(context)
             entry = storyboard.add_new_entry(
                 formation=create_formation("Takeoff grid", points),
                 frame_start=context.scene.frame_start,
diff --git a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/land.py b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/land.py
index 17d1f2b1..c47c54ee 100644
--- a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/land.py
+++ b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/land.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 from sbstudio.plugin.constants import Collections
 from sbstudio.plugin.model.formation import create_formation
 from sbstudio.plugin.model.safety_check import get_proximity_warning_threshold
+from sbstudio.plugin.model.storyboard import get_storyboard
 from sbstudio.plugin.utils.evaluator import create_position_evaluator
 
 from .base import StoryboardOperator
@@ -73,8 +74,9 @@ def poll(cls, context):
         return drones is not None and len(drones.objects) > 0
 
     def invoke(self, context, event):
-        storyboard = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard
-        self.start_frame = max(context.scene.frame_current, storyboard.frame_end)
+        self.start_frame = max(
+            context.scene.frame_current, get_storyboard(context).frame_end
+        )
         return context.window_manager.invoke_props_dialog(self)
 
     def execute_on_storyboard(self, storyboard, entries, context):
@@ -178,9 +180,9 @@ def _run(self, storyboard, *, context) -> bool:
 
     def _validate_start_frame(self, context: Context) -> bool:
         """Returns whether the landing time chosen by the user is valid."""
-        storyboard = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard
+        storyboard = get_storyboard(context)
         if storyboard.last_entry is not None:
-            last_frame = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard.frame_end
+            last_frame = storyboard.frame_end
         else:
             last_frame = None
 
diff --git a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/move_storyboard_entry.py b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/move_storyboard_entry.py
index 7116d802..0793eb12 100644
--- a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/move_storyboard_entry.py
+++ b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/move_storyboard_entry.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+from sbstudio.plugin.model.storyboard import get_storyboard
+
 from .base import StoryboardOperator
 
 __all__ = ("MoveStoryboardEntryDownOperator", "MoveStoryboardEntryUpOperator")
@@ -17,7 +19,7 @@ def poll(cls, context):
         if not StoryboardOperator.poll(context):
             return False
 
-        storyboard = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard
+        storyboard = get_storyboard(context)
         if storyboard.active_entry is None:
             return False
 
@@ -45,7 +47,7 @@ def poll(cls, context):
         if not StoryboardOperator.poll(context):
             return False
 
-        storyboard = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard
+        storyboard = get_storyboard(context)
         if storyboard.active_entry is None:
             return False
 
diff --git a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/remove_formation.py b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/remove_formation.py
index 45104141..b13458a5 100644
--- a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/remove_formation.py
+++ b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/remove_formation.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+from sbstudio.plugin.model.storyboard import get_storyboard
 from sbstudio.plugin.objects import remove_objects
 
 from .base import FormationOperator
@@ -14,7 +15,7 @@ class RemoveFormationOperator(FormationOperator):
     bl_description = "Remove the selected formation from the show"
 
     def execute_on_formation(self, formation, context):
-        storyboard = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard
+        storyboard = get_storyboard(context)
 
         for entry in storyboard.entries:
             if entry.formation is formation:
diff --git a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/remove_schedule_override_entry.py b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/remove_schedule_override_entry.py
index 3a55697b..f4bf6512 100644
--- a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/remove_schedule_override_entry.py
+++ b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/remove_schedule_override_entry.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+from sbstudio.plugin.model.storyboard import get_storyboard
+
 from .base import StoryboardEntryOperator
 
 __all__ = ("RemoveScheduleOverrideEntryOperator",)
@@ -19,7 +21,9 @@ def poll(cls, context):
         if not StoryboardEntryOperator.poll(context):
             return False
 
-        entry = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard.active_entry
+        entry = get_storyboard(context).active_entry
+        assert entry is not None
+
         return entry.active_schedule_override_entry is not None
 
     def execute_on_storyboard_entry(self, entry, context):
diff --git a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/remove_storyboard_entry.py b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/remove_storyboard_entry.py
index b7b256f1..afd5ea84 100644
--- a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/remove_storyboard_entry.py
+++ b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/remove_storyboard_entry.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 from sbstudio.plugin.constants import Collections
+from sbstudio.plugin.model.storyboard import get_storyboard
 from sbstudio.plugin.transition import find_transition_constraint_between
 
 from .base import StoryboardOperator
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@ class RemoveStoryboardEntryOperator(StoryboardOperator):
     def poll(cls, context):
         return (
             StoryboardOperator.poll(context)
-            and context.scene.skybrush.storyboard.active_entry is not None
+            and get_storyboard(context).active_entry is not None
         )
 
     def execute_on_storyboard(self, storyboard, context):
diff --git a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/return_to_home.py b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/return_to_home.py
index 9b53e9a1..8465b949 100644
--- a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/return_to_home.py
+++ b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/return_to_home.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 )
 from sbstudio.plugin.model.formation import create_formation, get_markers_from_formation
 from sbstudio.plugin.model.safety_check import get_proximity_warning_threshold
+from sbstudio.plugin.model.storyboard import get_storyboard
 from sbstudio.plugin.utils.evaluator import create_position_evaluator
 
 from .base import StoryboardOperator
@@ -128,8 +129,9 @@ def draw(self, context):
             layout.prop(self, "use_smart_rth")
 
     def invoke(self, context, event):
-        storyboard = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard
-        self.start_frame = max(context.scene.frame_current, storyboard.frame_end)
+        self.start_frame = max(
+            context.scene.frame_current, get_storyboard(context).frame_end
+        )
         return context.window_manager.invoke_props_dialog(self)
 
     def execute_on_storyboard(self, storyboard, entries, context):
@@ -287,11 +289,8 @@ def _run(self, storyboard, *, context) -> bool:
 
     def _validate_start_frame(self, context: Context) -> bool:
         """Returns whether the return to home time chosen by the user is valid."""
-        storyboard = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard
-        if storyboard.last_entry is not None:
-            last_frame = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard.frame_end
-        else:
-            last_frame = None
+        storyboard = get_storyboard(context)
+        last_frame = storyboard.frame_end if storyboard.last_entry is not None else None
 
         # TODO(ntamas): what if the last entry in the storyboard _is_ the
         # RTH, what shall we do then? Probably we should ignore it and look
diff --git a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/select_storyboard_entry.py b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/select_storyboard_entry.py
index ef63e7da..2dc4d1d3 100644
--- a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/select_storyboard_entry.py
+++ b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/select_storyboard_entry.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+from sbstudio.plugin.model.storyboard import get_storyboard
+
 from .base import StoryboardOperator
 
 __all__ = ("SelectStoryboardEntryForCurrentFrameOperator",)
@@ -22,10 +24,7 @@ class SelectStoryboardEntryForCurrentFrameOperator(StoryboardOperator):
 
     @classmethod
     def poll(cls, context):
-        return (
-            StoryboardOperator.poll(context)
-            and context.scene.skybrush.storyboard.entries
-        )
+        return StoryboardOperator.poll(context) and get_storyboard(context).entries
 
     def execute_on_storyboard(self, storyboard, context):
         frame = context.scene.frame_current
diff --git a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/takeoff.py b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/takeoff.py
index bab5f2a0..afecbca6 100644
--- a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/takeoff.py
+++ b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/operators/takeoff.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 from sbstudio.plugin.constants import Collections
 from sbstudio.plugin.model.formation import create_formation
 from sbstudio.plugin.model.safety_check import get_proximity_warning_threshold
-from sbstudio.plugin.model.storyboard import Storyboard
+from sbstudio.plugin.model.storyboard import get_storyboard, Storyboard
 from sbstudio.plugin.utils.evaluator import create_position_evaluator
 
 from .base import StoryboardOperator
@@ -173,9 +173,10 @@ def _run(self, storyboard: Storyboard, *, context) -> bool:
 
     def _validate_start_frame(self, context: Context) -> bool:
         """Returns whether the takeoff time chosen by the user is valid."""
-        storyboard = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard
+        storyboard = get_storyboard(context)
         # Note: we assume here that the first entry is the takeoff grid on ground
         if len(storyboard.entries) > 0:
+            assert storyboard.first_entry is not None
             frame = storyboard.first_entry.frame_end
             if self.start_frame < frame:
                 self.report(
@@ -187,6 +188,7 @@ def _validate_start_frame(self, context: Context) -> bool:
                 )
                 return False
             if len(storyboard.entries) > 1:
+                assert storyboard.second_entry is not None
                 frame = storyboard.second_entry.frame_start
                 if frame is not None and self.start_frame >= frame:
                     self.report(
diff --git a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/panels/transition_editor.py b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/panels/transition_editor.py
index b3db8543..a49993b7 100644
--- a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/panels/transition_editor.py
+++ b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/panels/transition_editor.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 from typing import List, Optional
 
-from sbstudio.plugin.model.storyboard import Storyboard, StoryboardEntry
+from sbstudio.plugin.model.storyboard import get_storyboard, Storyboard, StoryboardEntry
 from sbstudio.plugin.operators import (
     CreateNewScheduleOverrideEntryOperator,
     RecalculateTransitionsOperator,
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ def _get_entry(cls, storyboard: Storyboard) -> Optional[StoryboardEntry]:
 
     @classmethod
     def poll(cls, context) -> bool:
-        storyboard: Optional[Storyboard] = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard
-        if storyboard:
+        storyboard = get_storyboard(context)
+        if storyboard is not None:
             return cls._get_entry(storyboard) is not None
         else:
             return False
@@ -53,10 +53,7 @@ def _get_recalculation_scope(cls) -> str:
         return "ALL"
 
     def draw(self, context):
-        storyboard: Optional[Storyboard] = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard
-        if not storyboard:
-            return
-
+        storyboard = get_storyboard(context)
         entry = self._get_entry(storyboard)
         if entry is None:
             return
diff --git a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/props/frame_range.py b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/props/frame_range.py
index 9fb8dde5..38940915 100644
--- a/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/props/frame_range.py
+++ b/src/modules/sbstudio/plugin/props/frame_range.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 
 from typing import Optional, Tuple
 
+from sbstudio.plugin.model.storyboard import get_storyboard
 from sbstudio.plugin.utils import with_context
 
 __all__ = ("FrameRangeProperty",)
@@ -48,14 +49,12 @@ def resolve_frame_range(
         return (context.scene.frame_preview_start, context.scene.frame_preview_end)
     elif range == "STORYBOARD":
         # Return the frame range covered by the storyboard
-        return (
-            context.scene.skybrush.storyboard.frame_start,
-            context.scene.skybrush.storyboard.frame_end,
-        )
+        storyboard = get_storyboard(context)
+        return (storyboard.frame_start, storyboard.frame_end)
     elif range == "AROUND_CURRENT_FRAME":
         # Return the frame range covered by the formation or transition around
         # the current frame
-        storyboard = context.scene.skybrush.storyboard
+        storyboard = get_storyboard(context)
         return storyboard.get_frame_range_of_formation_or_transition_at_frame(
             context.scene.frame_current
         )