diff --git a/combo/data/models.py b/combo/data/models.py
index 7f86c387..06285c10 100644
--- a/combo/data/models.py
+++ b/combo/data/models.py
@@ -753,7 +753,7 @@ class TextCell(CellBase):
 
     def get_cell_extra_context(self, context):
         extra_context = super(TextCell, self).get_cell_extra_context(context)
-        text = self.text
+        text = self.text or ''
         render_skeleton = context.get('render_skeleton')
 
         def sub_variadic_url(match):