diff --git a/jdaviz/core/freezable_state.py b/jdaviz/core/freezable_state.py
index e61aa3d3f7..54b47c6542 100644
--- a/jdaviz/core/freezable_state.py
+++ b/jdaviz/core/freezable_state.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ def _convert_units_y_limits(self, old_unit, new_unit):
             spectral_axis = x_corners * u.Unit(self.x_display_unit)
 
             for layer in self.layers:
-                if psc := layer.layer.meta.get('_pixel_scale_factor', None) is not None:
+                if psc := getattr(layer.layer, 'meta', {}).get('_pixel_scale_factor', None) is not None:
                     spectral_axis.info.meta = {'_pixel_scale_factor',
                                                psc}
                     break