diff --git a/lib/Doctrine/Hydrate.php b/lib/Doctrine/Hydrate.php
index a713bf8be..532dc2824 100644
--- a/lib/Doctrine/Hydrate.php
+++ b/lib/Doctrine/Hydrate.php
@@ -414,11 +414,11 @@ abstract class Doctrine_Hydrate extends Doctrine_Access {
         $tmp     = explode(".", $path);
         $alias   = end($tmp);
 
-        $fk      = $this->tables[$pointer]->getRelation($alias);
-
         if( ! isset($prev[$pointer]) )
             return $prev;
 
+        $fk      = $this->tables[$pointer]->getRelation($alias);
+
         if( ! $fk->isOneToOne()) {
             if($prev[$pointer]->getLast() instanceof Doctrine_Record) {
                 if( ! $prev[$pointer]->getLast()->hasReference($alias)) {