diff --git a/lib/galaxy/tools/__init__.py b/lib/galaxy/tools/__init__.py
index f2af91aa26a..d3277abfbda 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/tools/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/tools/__init__.py
@@ -1022,8 +1022,9 @@ class Tool(Dictifiable):
         has_missing_data = len(edam_operations) == 0 or len(edam_topics) == 0
         if has_missing_data:
             biotools_reference = self.biotools_reference
-            if biotools_reference:
-                biotools_entry = self.app.biotools_metadata_source.get_biotools_metadata(biotools_reference)
+            metadata_source = self.app.biotools_metadata_source
+            if biotools_reference and metadata_source:
+                biotools_entry = metadata_source.get_biotools_metadata(biotools_reference)
                 if biotools_entry:
                     edam_info = biotools_entry.edam_info
                     if len(edam_operations) == 0:
diff --git a/test/unit/unittest_utils/galaxy_mock.py b/test/unit/unittest_utils/galaxy_mock.py
index 2e50ed279f5..381bbb57c7a 100644
--- a/test/unit/unittest_utils/galaxy_mock.py
+++ b/test/unit/unittest_utils/galaxy_mock.py
@@ -103,6 +103,7 @@ class MockApp(di.Container):
         self.user_manager = UserManager(self)
         self.execution_timer_factory = Bunch(get_timer=StructuredExecutionTimer)
         self.is_job_handler = False
+        self.biotools_metadata_source = None
         rebind_container_to_task(self)
 
         def url_for(*args, **kwds):