diff --git a/inc/targetchange.class.php b/inc/targetchange.class.php
index 03082259b..5fee24d0d 100644
--- a/inc/targetchange.class.php
+++ b/inc/targetchange.class.php
@@ -216,6 +216,10 @@ public static function import(PluginFormcreatorLinker $linker, $input = [], $con
          }
          /**@var PluginFormcreatorQuestion $question */
          $question = $linker->getObject($input[$fieldSetting['field']], PluginFormcreatorQuestion::class);
+         if ($question === false) {
+            $typeName = strtolower(self::getTypeName());
+            throw new ImportFailureException(sprintf(__('failed to add or update the %1$s %2$s: a question is missing and is used in a parameter of the target', 'formceator'), $typeName, $input['name']));
+         }
          $input[$fieldSetting['field']] = $question->getID();
       }
 
diff --git a/inc/targetticket.class.php b/inc/targetticket.class.php
index a6e61a5a0..ace1df7fe 100644
--- a/inc/targetticket.class.php
+++ b/inc/targetticket.class.php
@@ -1107,6 +1107,10 @@ public static function import(PluginFormcreatorLinker $linker, $input = [], $con
          }
          /**@var PluginFormcreatorQuestion $question */
          $question = $linker->getObject($input[$fieldSetting['field']], PluginFormcreatorQuestion::class);
+         if ($question === false) {
+            $typeName = strtolower(self::getTypeName());
+            throw new ImportFailureException(sprintf(__('failed to add or update the %1$s %2$s: a question is missing and is used in a parameter of the target', 'formceator'), $typeName, $input['name']));
+         }
          $input[$fieldSetting['field']] = $question->getID();
       }