diff --git a/io_mesh_ply/export_ply.py b/io_mesh_ply/export_ply.py
index cb981a131b09a1909419cfd48a87017c3b6cbd7b..0dd0b39d01525ded6ac90b86a19bd02811b4c1ea 100644
--- a/io_mesh_ply/export_ply.py
+++ b/io_mesh_ply/export_ply.py
@@ -65,6 +65,9 @@ def save(operator,
 
     # mesh.transform(obj.matrix_world) # XXX
 
+    # Be sure tessface & co are available!
+    mesh.calc_tessface()
+
     has_uv = (len(mesh.tessface_uv_textures) > 0)
     has_uv_vertex = (len(mesh.sticky) > 0)
     has_vcol = len(mesh.tessface_vertex_colors) > 0