diff --git a/C4/Circulation.pm b/C4/Circulation.pm
index b9b66974be..80cead8a96 100644
--- a/C4/Circulation.pm
+++ b/C4/Circulation.pm
@@ -780,7 +780,7 @@ sub CanBookBeIssued {
     my $onsite_checkout     = $params->{onsite_checkout}     || 0;
     my $override_high_holds = $params->{override_high_holds} || 0;
 
-    my $item_object = $params->{item}
+    my $item_object = !$barcode ? undef : $params->{item}
       // Koha::Items->find( { barcode => $barcode } );
 
     # MANDATORY CHECKS - unless item exists, nothing else matters