diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/split_mongo/split.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/split_mongo/split.py
index 88551f3f7b..fdd5df6414 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/split_mongo/split.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/split_mongo/split.py
@@ -168,7 +168,8 @@ class BulkWriteRecord(object):
         return self.structures.get(self.index.get('versions', {}).get(branch))
 
     def set_structure_for_branch(self, branch, structure):
-        self.index.get('versions', {})[branch] = structure['_id']
+        if self.index is not None:
+            self.index.setdefault('versions', {})[branch] = structure['_id']
         self.structures[structure['_id']] = structure
 
     def __repr__(self):
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_split_modulestore_bulk_operations.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_split_modulestore_bulk_operations.py
index 8c75800f02..313fe988df 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_split_modulestore_bulk_operations.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_split_modulestore_bulk_operations.py
@@ -174,6 +174,13 @@ class TestBulkWriteMixinClosed(TestBulkWriteMixin):
             self.structure['_id']
         )
 
+    def test_version_structure_new_course(self):
+        self.conn.get_course_index.return_value = None
+        self.bulk._begin_bulk_operation(self.course_key)
+        version_result = self.bulk.version_structure(self.course_key, self.structure, 'user_id')
+        get_result = self.bulk.get_structure(self.course_key, version_result['_id'])
+        self.assertEquals(version_result, get_result)
+
 class TestBulkWriteMixinClosedAfterPrevTransaction(TestBulkWriteMixinClosed, TestBulkWriteMixinPreviousTransaction):
     """
     Test that operations on with a closed transaction aren't affected by a previously executed transaction