diff --git a/core/modules/field/field.install b/core/modules/field/field.install
index 103f7cd..74f76e7 100644
--- a/core/modules/field/field.install
+++ b/core/modules/field/field.install
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ function field_update_8003() {
     if ($class == EntityReferenceItem::class || is_subclass_of($class, EntityReferenceItem::class)) {
       $handler_settings = $field->get('settings.handler_settings');
 
-      if (isset($handler_settings['auto_create']) && $handler_settings['auto_create']) {
+      if (is_array($handler_settings) && !empty($handler_settings['auto_create'])) {
         // If the field can reference multiple bundles, pick the first one
         // available in order to replicate the previous behavior.
         if (is_array($handler_settings['target_bundles']) && count($handler_settings['target_bundles']) > 1) {