diff --git a/addons/hr_holidays/models/hr_leave.py b/addons/hr_holidays/models/hr_leave.py
index 1b2cae9125c..a3b6ecc5fd9 100644
--- a/addons/hr_holidays/models/hr_leave.py
+++ b/addons/hr_holidays/models/hr_leave.py
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ class HolidaysRequest(models.Model):
             holiday.manager_id = holiday.employee_id.parent_id.id
             if holiday.holiday_status_id.requires_allocation == 'no':
                 continue
-            if len(holiday.employee_ids) > 1:
+            if not holiday.employee_id or len(holiday.employee_ids) > 1:
                 holiday.holiday_status_id = False
             elif holiday.employee_id.user_id != self.env.user and holiday._origin.employee_id != holiday.employee_id:
                 if holiday.employee_id and not holiday.holiday_status_id.with_context(employee_id=holiday.employee_id.id).has_valid_allocation: