diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/node.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/node.lua
index 3d0119be..3a84e6e7 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/node.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/node.lua
@@ -14,13 +14,15 @@ local function get_dir_git_status(parent_ignored, status, absolute_path)
     return { file = "!!" }
   end
 
-  return {
-    file = status.files and status.files[absolute_path],
-    dir = status.dirs and {
-      direct = status.dirs.direct[absolute_path],
-      indirect = status.dirs.indirect[absolute_path],
-    },
-  }
+  if status then
+    return {
+      file = status.files and status.files[absolute_path],
+      dir = status.dirs and {
+        direct = status.dirs.direct[absolute_path],
+        indirect = status.dirs.indirect[absolute_path],
+      },
+    }
+  end
 end
 
 local function get_git_status(parent_ignored, status, absolute_path)