diff --git a/docling/backend/msword_backend.py b/docling/backend/msword_backend.py
index 8386082..3e84d64 100644
--- a/docling/backend/msword_backend.py
+++ b/docling/backend/msword_backend.py
@@ -397,7 +397,11 @@ class MsWordDocumentBackend(DeclarativeDocumentBackend):
             if isinstance(c, Hyperlink):
                 text = c.text
                 hyperlink = Path(c.address)
-                format = self._get_format_from_run(c.runs[0])
+                format = (
+                    self._get_format_from_run(c.runs[0])
+                    if c.runs and len(c.runs) > 0
+                    else None
+                )
             elif isinstance(c, Run):
                 text = c.text
                 hyperlink = None