diff --git a/models/site.rb b/models/site.rb
index ab5d2c83..b8c0c5e0 100644
--- a/models/site.rb
+++ b/models/site.rb
@@ -926,7 +926,7 @@ class Site < Sequel::Model
       raise ArgumentError, "argument missing: #{a}" if args[a].nil?
     end
 
-    if email && can_email?(args[:col])
+    if owner.email && can_email?(args[:col])
       EmailWorker.perform_async({
         from: FROM_EMAIL,
         to: owner.email,