diff --git a/panels_ipe/plugins/display_renderers/panels_renderer_ipe.class.php b/panels_ipe/plugins/display_renderers/panels_renderer_ipe.class.php
index aedc913..5f016fd 100644
--- a/panels_ipe/plugins/display_renderers/panels_renderer_ipe.class.php
+++ b/panels_ipe/plugins/display_renderers/panels_renderer_ipe.class.php
@@ -137,7 +137,10 @@ class panels_renderer_ipe extends panels_renderer_editor {
   function render_pane_content(&$pane) {
     $content = parent::render_pane_content($pane);
     // Ensure that empty panes have some content.
-    if (empty($content) || empty($content->content)) {
+    if (empty($content) || !is_object($content) || empty($content->content)) {
+      if (!is_object($content)) {
+        $content = new StdClass();
+      }
       // Get the administrative title.
       $content_type = ctools_get_content_type($pane->type);
       $title = ctools_content_admin_title($content_type, $pane->subtype, $pane->configuration, $this->display->context);