diff --git a/src/registrar/views/domain.py b/src/registrar/views/domain.py
index 276895799..f30014269 100644
--- a/src/registrar/views/domain.py
+++ b/src/registrar/views/domain.py
@@ -306,6 +306,15 @@ class DomainSecurityEmailView(DomainPermissionView, FormMixin):
 
         domain = self.get_object()
         contact = domain.security_contact
+
+        # If no default is created for security_contact,
+        # then we cannot connect to EPPLib.
+        if contact is None:
+            messages.error(
+                self.request, "Update failed. Cannot contact the registry."
+            )
+            return redirect(self.get_success_url())
+
         contact.email = new_email
         contact.save()