diff --git a/src/Renderer.php b/src/Renderer.php
index aae8d63..072d380 100644
--- a/src/Renderer.php
+++ b/src/Renderer.php
@@ -126,11 +126,13 @@ protected function renderContent(): string
             return '';
         }
 
-        if (! $this->fieldValue) {
-            $this->fieldValue = $this->entry->augmentedValue($this->fieldHandle);
+        // make sure we definitely have field data
+        // (might be a problem with e. g. old content files)
+        if (! $this->fieldValue && ! $this->fieldValue = $this->entry->augmentedValue($this->fieldHandle)) {
+            return '';
         }
 
-        $fieldtype = $this->fieldValue->field()->fieldtype();
+        $fieldtype = $this->fieldValue->field()?->fieldtype();
 
         if ($fieldtype instanceof Bard) {
             return $this->renderBard($fieldtype);