diff --git a/netbox/ipam/forms/model_forms.py b/netbox/ipam/forms/model_forms.py
index e965bf7b1..bfd4f952d 100644
--- a/netbox/ipam/forms/model_forms.py
+++ b/netbox/ipam/forms/model_forms.py
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ class IPAddressForm(TenancyForm, NetBoxModelForm):
             })
         elif selected_objects:
             assigned_object = self.cleaned_data[selected_objects[0]]
-            if self.instance.pk and self.cleaned_data['primary_for_parent'] and assigned_object != self.instance.assigned_object:
+            if self.instance.pk and self.instance.assigned_object and self.cleaned_data['primary_for_parent'] and assigned_object != self.instance.assigned_object:
                 raise ValidationError(
                     _("Cannot reassign IP address while it is designated as the primary IP for the parent object")
                 )