diff --git a/lib/cfg.d/z_datacite_mapping.pl b/lib/cfg.d/z_datacite_mapping.pl
index 441aee3..826516e 100644
--- a/lib/cfg.d/z_datacite_mapping.pl
+++ b/lib/cfg.d/z_datacite_mapping.pl
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@
 
             my $family = $name->{name}->{family};
             my $given = $name->{name}->{given};
-            my $orcid = $name->{orcid};
+            my $orcid = $name->{orcid} ? $name->{orcid} : '';
 
             if ($family eq '' && $given eq '') {
                 $creators->appendChild($author);