diff --git a/__tests__/lib/string.test.ts b/__tests__/lib/string.test.ts
index 2aef90fea1..3e741c1e99 100644
--- a/__tests__/lib/string.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/lib/string.test.ts
@@ -844,6 +844,7 @@ describe('parseStarterPackHttpUri', () => {
     'https://bsky.app/start/testlover9000.com',
     'https://bsky.app/start/testlover9000.com/rkey/other',
     'https://bsky.app/start',
+    undefined,
   ]
   const outputs = [
     {name: 'haileyok.com', rkey: 'rkey'},
@@ -852,6 +853,7 @@ describe('parseStarterPackHttpUri', () => {
     null,
     null,
     null,
+    null,
   ]
 
   it('returns the correct name and rkey when input is valid', () => {
diff --git a/src/lib/strings/starter-pack.ts b/src/lib/strings/starter-pack.ts
index 36f6c7802d..0265fb450b 100644
--- a/src/lib/strings/starter-pack.ts
+++ b/src/lib/strings/starter-pack.ts
@@ -24,10 +24,12 @@ export function createStarterPackLinkFromAndroidReferrer(
   }
 }
 
-export function parseStarterPackHttpUri(uri: string): {
+export function parseStarterPackHttpUri(uri?: string): {
   name?: string
   rkey?: string
 } | null {
+  if (!uri) return null
+
   try {
     const url = new URL(uri)
     const parts = url.pathname.split('/')