diff --git a/packages/core/src/data_sources/model/DataVariable.ts b/packages/core/src/data_sources/model/DataVariable.ts
index a03e1d677a..c84ef0b3c6 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/data_sources/model/DataVariable.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/data_sources/model/DataVariable.ts
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ export default class DataVariable extends Model {
 
   getDataValue() {
     const { path, defaultValue } = this.attributes;
+    if (!this.em) {
+      throw new Error('EditorModel instance is not provided for a data variable.');
+    }
     const val = this.em?.DataSources.getValue(path, defaultValue);
 
     return val;