diff --git a/dangerfile.py b/dangerfile.py
index 531e05bb18..2c1e7de14c 100644
--- a/dangerfile.py
+++ b/dangerfile.py
@@ -186,7 +186,6 @@ BACKPORT_OF_RE = re.compile(
     r"Backport\s+of.*(merge_requests/|!)([0-9]+)", flags=re.IGNORECASE
 )
 VERSION_LABEL_RE = re.compile(r"v9.([0-9]+)(-S)?")
-backport_desc = BACKPORT_OF_RE.search(danger.gitlab.mr.description)
 version_labels = [l for l in mr_labels if l.startswith("v9.")]
 affects_labels = [l for l in mr_labels if l.startswith("Affects v9.")]
 if is_backport:
@@ -205,6 +204,7 @@ if is_backport:
                 "Backport MRs must have their target version in the title. "
                 f"Please put `[9.{minor_ver}{edition}]` at the start of the MR title."
             )
+    backport_desc = BACKPORT_OF_RE.search(danger.gitlab.mr.description or "")
     if backport_desc is None:
         fail(
             "Backport MRs must link to the original MR. Please put "