diff --git a/src/SMESH_SWIG/smesh_algorithm.py b/src/SMESH_SWIG/smesh_algorithm.py
index 9b3acf00d..e71c3c631 100644
--- a/src/SMESH_SWIG/smesh_algorithm.py
+++ b/src/SMESH_SWIG/smesh_algorithm.py
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ class Mesh_Algorithm:
     #  @return SMESH.SMESH_Hypothesis
     def FindHypothesis (self, hypname, args, CompareMethod, smeshpyD):
         study = smeshpyD.GetCurrentStudy()
+        if not study: return None
         #to do: find component by smeshpyD object, not by its data type
         scomp = study.FindComponent(smeshpyD.ComponentDataType())
         if scomp is not None: