diff --git a/eland/ml/pytorch/transformers.py b/eland/ml/pytorch/transformers.py
index ae60f48..69ef7db 100644
--- a/eland/ml/pytorch/transformers.py
+++ b/eland/ml/pytorch/transformers.py
@@ -393,11 +393,13 @@ class _DPREncoderWrapper(nn.Module):  # type: ignore
 
         def is_compatible() -> bool:
             is_dpr_model = config.model_type == "dpr"
-            has_architectures = len(config.architectures) == 1
-            is_supported_architecture = (
+            has_architectures = (
+                config.architectures is not None and len(config.architectures) == 1
+            )
+            is_supported_architecture = has_architectures and (
                 config.architectures[0] in _DPREncoderWrapper._SUPPORTED_MODELS_NAMES
             )
-            return is_dpr_model and has_architectures and is_supported_architecture
+            return is_dpr_model and is_supported_architecture
 
         if is_compatible():
             model = getattr(transformers, config.architectures[0]).from_pretrained(