diff --git a/js/id/modes/select.js b/js/id/modes/select.js
index a1fde48ef..c85172a4a 100644
--- a/js/id/modes/select.js
+++ b/js/id/modes/select.js
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ iD.modes.Select = function (entity) {
     mode.exit = function () {
         var surface = mode.map.surface;
 
-        changeTags(entity, inspector.tags());
+        entity && changeTags(entity, inspector.tags());
         d3.select('.inspector-wrap')
             .style('display', 'none')
             .html('');