diff --git a/lib/galaxy/managers/collections.py b/lib/galaxy/managers/collections.py
index c6ec546125a..df5820e3b58 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/managers/collections.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/managers/collections.py
@@ -268,7 +268,11 @@ class DatasetCollectionManager:
 
         if recursive:
             for dataset in dataset_collection_instance.collection.dataset_instances:
-                self.hda_manager.error_unless_owner(dataset, user=trans.get_user(), current_history=trans.history)
+                try:
+                    self.hda_manager.error_unless_owner(dataset, user=trans.get_user(), current_history=trans.history)
+                except hdas.HistoryDatasetAssociationNoHistoryException:
+                    log.info("Cannot delete HistoryDatasetAssociation {}, HistoryDatasetAssociation has no associated History, cannot verify owner".format(dataset.id))
+                    continue
                 if not dataset.deleted:
                     dataset.deleted = True
 
diff --git a/lib/galaxy/managers/hdas.py b/lib/galaxy/managers/hdas.py
index 9d6569d0f7d..ba917988b06 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/managers/hdas.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/managers/hdas.py
@@ -24,6 +24,10 @@ from galaxy.managers import (
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+class HistoryDatasetAssociationNoHistoryException(Exception):
+    pass
+
+
 class HDAManager(datasets.DatasetAssociationManager,
                  secured.OwnableManagerMixin,
                  taggable.TaggableManagerMixin,
@@ -69,9 +73,11 @@ class HDAManager(datasets.DatasetAssociationManager,
         """
         Use history to see if current user owns HDA.
         """
-        history = hda.history
         if self.user_manager.is_admin(user, trans=kwargs.get("trans", None)):
             return True
+        history = hda.history
+        if history is None:
+            raise HistoryDatasetAssociationNoHistoryException
         # allow anonymous user to access current history
         # TODO: some dup here with historyManager.is_owner but prevents circ import
         # TODO: awkward kwarg (which is my new band name); this may not belong here - move to controller?