diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/core/course_optimizer_provider.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/core/course_optimizer_provider.py
index 3e0cd86bc4..165d1f89e6 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/core/course_optimizer_provider.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/core/course_optimizer_provider.py
@@ -395,7 +395,10 @@ def _generate_enhanced_links_descriptor(json_content, request_user, course_key):
         else:
             content_links.append(item)
 
-    main_content = _generate_links_descriptor_for_content(content_links, request_user)
+    try:
+        main_content = _generate_links_descriptor_for_content(content_links, request_user)
+    except Exception:   # pylint: disable=broad-exception-caught
+        main_content = None
 
     if main_content is None:
         main_content = {"sections": []}