diff --git a/src/collective/dms/batchimport/fileimporter.py b/src/collective/dms/batchimport/fileimporter.py
index 2a62af9..2201f01 100644
--- a/src/collective/dms/batchimport/fileimporter.py
+++ b/src/collective/dms/batchimport/fileimporter.py
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ class ImportFileForm(form.SchemaForm):
         owner = data['owner']
         treating_group = data['treating_group']
         folder = self.get_folder(data['location'])
-        keywords = set([x.strip() for x in data['keywords'].split(',')])
+        keywords = set([x.strip() for x in (data['keywords'] or '').split(',')])
 
         document_id = self.convertTitleToId(data.get('title') or os.path.splitext(filename)[0])