diff --git a/internal/api/resolver_query_find_performer.go b/internal/api/resolver_query_find_performer.go
index 0ee48dcd4..150c99d20 100644
--- a/internal/api/resolver_query_find_performer.go
+++ b/internal/api/resolver_query_find_performer.go
@@ -33,7 +33,9 @@ func (r *queryResolver) FindPerformers(ctx context.Context, performerFilter *mod
 	}
 
 	// #5682 - convert JSON numbers to float64 or int64
-	performerFilter.CustomFields = convertCustomFieldCriterionInputJSONNumbers(performerFilter.CustomFields)
+	if performerFilter != nil {
+		performerFilter.CustomFields = convertCustomFieldCriterionInputJSONNumbers(performerFilter.CustomFields)
+	}
 
 	if err := r.withReadTxn(ctx, func(ctx context.Context) error {
 		var performers []*models.Performer