diff --git a/hypha/static_src/src/javascript/apply/submission-filters.js b/hypha/static_src/src/javascript/apply/submission-filters.js
index d42e2bd6c8eb9f21deeda00ec47fbda82209b399..4be901cfb1f7317400a6af2c7174e8c31380a6f6 100644
--- a/hypha/static_src/src/javascript/apply/submission-filters.js
+++ b/hypha/static_src/src/javascript/apply/submission-filters.js
@@ -33,12 +33,14 @@
         // find the matching dropdown
         let match = $(`.select2-selection[aria-owns="${selectId}"]`);
 
-        // if the dropdown contains a clear class, the filters are active
-        if ($(match[0]).find('span.select2-selection__clear').length !== 0) {
-            match[0].classList.add(filterActiveClass);
-        }
-        else {
-            match[0].classList.remove(filterActiveClass);
+        if (match.length !== 0){
+            // if the dropdown contains a clear class, the filters are active
+            if ($(match[0]).find('span.select2-selection__clear').length !== 0) {
+                match[0].classList.add(filterActiveClass);
+            }
+            else {
+                match[0].classList.remove(filterActiveClass);
+            }
         }
     });