diff --git a/lib/workload/stateless/stacks/workflow-manager/workflow_manager/models/utils.py b/lib/workload/stateless/stacks/workflow-manager/workflow_manager/models/utils.py
index 3d41ab2d3..06e56a0b7 100644
--- a/lib/workload/stateless/stacks/workflow-manager/workflow_manager/models/utils.py
+++ b/lib/workload/stateless/stacks/workflow-manager/workflow_manager/models/utils.py
@@ -130,7 +130,8 @@ def transition_to(self, new_state: State) -> bool:
 
     def persist_state(self, new_state):
         new_state.workflow_run = self.workflow_run
-        new_state.payload.save()  # Need to save Payload before we can save State
+        if new_state.payload:
+            new_state.payload.save()  # Need to save Payload before we can save State
         new_state.save()
 
     @staticmethod