diff --git a/lib/features/ordering/BpmnOrderingProvider.js b/lib/features/ordering/BpmnOrderingProvider.js
index 3eb39ec3..175d4370 100644
--- a/lib/features/ordering/BpmnOrderingProvider.js
+++ b/lib/features/ordering/BpmnOrderingProvider.js
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ export default function BpmnOrderingProvider(eventBus, canvas, translate) {
     }
 
     if (!actualParent) {
-      throw new Error('no parent for <' + element.id + '> in <' + newParent.id + '>');
+      throw new Error('no parent for <' + element.id + '> in <' + (newParent && newParent.id) + '>');
     }
 
     return actualParent;