diff --git a/lib/metadata.js b/lib/metadata.js
index 677b2e5b5..2b3a0b737 100644
--- a/lib/metadata.js
+++ b/lib/metadata.js
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ Meta.createLineHandler = function (ref, errorHandler) {
         // which has since been archived.
         // Thus, accept both the first and second lines you process as valid initial state
         // preferring the second if it exists
-        if (index < 2 && line typeof(line) === 'object') {
+        if (index < 2 && line && typeof(line) === 'object') {
             // special case!
             ref.meta = line;
             return;