diff --git a/packages/client/src/components/app/forms/RelationshipField.svelte b/packages/client/src/components/app/forms/RelationshipField.svelte
index bfa7c6cbd2..bb003730b3 100644
--- a/packages/client/src/components/app/forms/RelationshipField.svelte
+++ b/packages/client/src/components/app/forms/RelationshipField.svelte
@@ -60,6 +60,12 @@
       // even if they are not in the inital fetch results
       initialValuesProcessed = true
       optionsObj = (fieldState?.value || []).reduce((accumulator, value) => {
+        // fieldState has to be an array of strings to be valid for an update
+        // therefore we cannot guarantee value will be an object
+        // https://linear.app/budibase/issue/BUDI-7577/refactor-the-relationshipfield-component-to-have-better-support-for
+        if (!value._id) {
+          return accumulator
+        }
         accumulator[value._id] = {
           _id: value._id,
           [primaryDisplay]: value.primaryDisplay,