diff --git a/hydra_storm/engine.py b/hydra_storm/engine.py
index 93e463cd3..da59db07b 100644
--- a/hydra_storm/engine.py
+++ b/hydra_storm/engine.py
@@ -46,11 +46,13 @@ class StormHydraRenderEngine(bpy_hydra.HydraRenderEngine):
 
     def update(self, data, depsgraph):
         super().update(data, depsgraph)
-        self._sync_usd_stage()
+        if self.engine_ptr:
+            self._sync_usd_stage()
 
     def view_update(self, context, depsgraph):
         super().view_update(context, depsgraph)
-        self._sync_usd_stage()
+        if self.engine_ptr:
+            self._sync_usd_stage()
 
 
 register, unregister = bpy.utils.register_classes_factory((