diff --git a/paper-server/src/main/java/org/bukkit/craftbukkit/inventory/CraftMetaBlockState.java b/paper-server/src/main/java/org/bukkit/craftbukkit/inventory/CraftMetaBlockState.java
index ca582079283..42b812b0392 100644
--- a/paper-server/src/main/java/org/bukkit/craftbukkit/inventory/CraftMetaBlockState.java
+++ b/paper-server/src/main/java/org/bukkit/craftbukkit/inventory/CraftMetaBlockState.java
@@ -110,8 +110,10 @@ public class CraftMetaBlockState extends CraftMetaItem implements BlockStateMeta
         } else {
             material = Material.AIR;
         }
-        blockEntityTag = getBlockState(material, internalTag);
-        internalTag = null;
+        if (internalTag != null) {
+            blockEntityTag = getBlockState(material, internalTag);
+            internalTag = null;
+        }
     }
 
     @Override