diff --git a/modules/repofiles/content.go b/modules/repofiles/content.go
index f4d7d77e5..0b7fc5d4c 100644
--- a/modules/repofiles/content.go
+++ b/modules/repofiles/content.go
@@ -184,7 +184,9 @@ func GetContents(repo *models.Repository, treePath, ref string, forList bool) (*
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		contentsResponse.SubmoduleGitURL = &submodule.URL
+		if submodule != nil {
+			contentsResponse.SubmoduleGitURL = &submodule.URL
+		}
 	}
 	// Handle links
 	if entry.IsRegular() || entry.IsLink() {