diff --git a/src/main/java/edu/harvard/iq/dataverse/search/IndexServiceBean.java b/src/main/java/edu/harvard/iq/dataverse/search/IndexServiceBean.java
index c17351ea55a..6d711c7ae05 100644
--- a/src/main/java/edu/harvard/iq/dataverse/search/IndexServiceBean.java
+++ b/src/main/java/edu/harvard/iq/dataverse/search/IndexServiceBean.java
@@ -775,7 +775,10 @@ private String addOrUpdateDataset(IndexableDataset indexableDataset, Set<Long> d
                         // no-op. we want to keep email address out of Solr per
                         // https://github.com/IQSS/dataverse/issues/759
                     } else if (dsfType.getSolrField().getSolrType().equals(SolrField.SolrType.DATE)) {
-                        String dateAsString = dsf.getValues_nondisplay().get(0);
+                        String dateAsString = "";
+                        if (!dsf.getValues_nondisplay().isEmpty()) {
+                            dateAsString = dsf.getValues_nondisplay().get(0);
+                        }                      
                         logger.fine("date as string: " + dateAsString);
                         if (dateAsString != null && !dateAsString.isEmpty()) {
                             SimpleDateFormat inputDateyyyy = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy", Locale.ENGLISH);