diff --git a/oml/item/models.py b/oml/item/models.py
index 1cfe192..11ff57b 100644
--- a/oml/item/models.py
+++ b/oml/item/models.py
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ class Item(db.Model):
                     first_peer = m
         # of fall back to first peer that has this item
         # in case its not available locally
-        if not sync_from and self.info['mediastate'] != 'available' and first_peer:
+        if not sync_from and self.info.get('mediastate') != 'available' and first_peer:
             #logger.debug('syncing from first peer that has item %s', first_peer)
             sync_from = first_peer
         if sync_from: