diff --git a/src/statd/python/yanger/ietf_interfaces/ethernet.py b/src/statd/python/yanger/ietf_interfaces/ethernet.py
index 8e3c0404..c2b3821c 100644
--- a/src/statd/python/yanger/ietf_interfaces/ethernet.py
+++ b/src/statd/python/yanger/ietf_interfaces/ethernet.py
@@ -89,6 +89,9 @@ def link(ifname):
 def ethernet(iplink):
     eth = link(iplink["ifname"])
 
+    if eth is None:
+        eth = {}
+
     if stats := statistics(iplink["ifname"]):
         eth["statistics"] = stats