diff --git a/src/storm-cli-utilities/model-handling.h b/src/storm-cli-utilities/model-handling.h
index 620405689..82b809074 100644
--- a/src/storm-cli-utilities/model-handling.h
+++ b/src/storm-cli-utilities/model-handling.h
@@ -629,9 +629,9 @@ namespace storm {
             } else {
                 std::shared_ptr<storm::models::ModelBase> model = buildPreprocessExportModelWithValueTypeAndDdlib<DdType, ValueType>(input, engine);
 
-                STORM_LOG_THROW(model->isSparseModel() || !storm::settings::getModule<storm::settings::modules::GeneralSettings>().isSoundSet(), storm::exceptions::NotSupportedException, "Forcing soundness is currently only supported for sparse models.");
-                
                 if (model) {
+                    STORM_LOG_THROW(model->isSparseModel() || !storm::settings::getModule<storm::settings::modules::GeneralSettings>().isSoundSet(), storm::exceptions::NotSupportedException, "Forcing soundness is currently only supported for sparse models.");
+
                     if (coreSettings.isCounterexampleSet()) {
                         auto ioSettings = storm::settings::getModule<storm::settings::modules::IOSettings>();
                         generateCounterexamples<ValueType>(model, input);