diff --git a/src/pocketmine/item/Item.php b/src/pocketmine/item/Item.php
index 7cc94878c..b116db7a6 100644
--- a/src/pocketmine/item/Item.php
+++ b/src/pocketmine/item/Item.php
@@ -685,7 +685,7 @@ class Item implements ItemIds, \JsonSerializable{
 	}
 
 	public function setLore(array $lines){
-		$tag = $this->getNamedTag();
+		$tag = $this->getNamedTag() ?? new CompoundTag("", []);
 		if(!isset($tag->display)){
 			$tag->display = new CompoundTag("display", []);
 		}