diff --git a/rigify/generate.py b/rigify/generate.py
index d726f14ab4c3bd64aeffb3cb1c0955f9bdfc320d..5b5f0e985211e5191b0e2b6630490a9beec616d2 100644
--- a/rigify/generate.py
+++ b/rigify/generate.py
@@ -598,6 +598,9 @@ def create_persistent_rig_ui(obj, script):
     skip = False
     driver = None
 
+    if not obj.animation_data:
+        obj.animation_data_create()
+
     for fcurve in obj.animation_data.drivers:
         if fcurve.data_path == 'pass_index':
             driver = fcurve.driver