--- a/dom/src/dae/daeMetaElement.cpp
+++ b/dom/src/dae/daeMetaElement.cpp
@@ -169,13 +169,15 @@ daeMetaElement::appendAttribute(daeMetaA
     if (attr == NULL)
         return;
 
-    if (strcmp(attr->getName(),"_value") == 0) {
+    const daeString name = attr->getName();
+
+    if (name != NULL && strcmp(attr->getName(),"_value") == 0) {
         _metaValue = attr;
     }
     else
         _metaAttributes.append(attr);
 
-    if ((attr->getName() != NULL) &&
+    if (name != NULL &&
         (strcmp(attr->getName(),"id") == 0)) {
         _metaID = attr;
         _isTrackableForQueries = true;