diff --git a/modules/json_form_widget/src/WidgetRouter.php b/modules/json_form_widget/src/WidgetRouter.php
index 89d86770b5..0cc41f2b6b 100644
--- a/modules/json_form_widget/src/WidgetRouter.php
+++ b/modules/json_form_widget/src/WidgetRouter.php
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ public function handleUploadOrLinkElement(mixed $spec, array $element) {
    */
   public function handleTextareaElement(mixed $spec, array $element) {
     $element['#type'] = 'textarea';
-    if ($spec->text_format) {
+    if (isset($spec->text_format)) {
       $element['#type'] = 'text_format';
       $element['#format'] = $spec->text_format;
       $element['#allowed_formats'] = [