diff --git a/docs/changelog/7.x.x.txt b/docs/changelog/7.x.x.txt
index ad37b0280..d53afcdf6 100644
--- a/docs/changelog/7.x.x.txt
+++ b/docs/changelog/7.x.x.txt
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
  - fixed #11693: Shopping cart does not show for visitor user
  - fixed: missing per-item template variables for the cart.
  - fixed #11696: WebGUI 7.9.8 gotcha
+ - fixed #11698: Trash dies on missing or bad workflow
 
 7.9.8
  - fixed #11651: First Day of Week is a string...
diff --git a/lib/WebGUI/AssetTrash.pm b/lib/WebGUI/AssetTrash.pm
index a22acbeaa..f6c7110a5 100644
--- a/lib/WebGUI/AssetTrash.pm
+++ b/lib/WebGUI/AssetTrash.pm
@@ -298,11 +298,16 @@ sub _invokeWorkflowOnExportedFiles {
     if ($workflowId) {
         my ($lastExportedAs) = $self->get("lastExportedAs");
         my $wfInstance = WebGUI::Workflow::Instance->create($self->session, { workflowId => $workflowId });
-        $wfInstance->setScratch(
-            WebGUI::Workflow::Activity::DeleteExportedFiles::DELETE_FILES_SCRATCH() =>
-            Storable::freeze([ defined($lastExportedAs) ? ($lastExportedAs) : () ])
-        );
-        $wfInstance->start(1);
+        if ($wfInstance) {
+            $wfInstance->setScratch(
+                WebGUI::Workflow::Activity::DeleteExportedFiles::DELETE_FILES_SCRATCH() =>
+                Storable::freeze([ defined($lastExportedAs) ? ($lastExportedAs) : () ])
+            );
+            $wfInstance->start(1);
+        }
+        else {
+            $self->session->log->warn('The Purge Workflow from the settings has been deleted and cannot be run.');
+        }
     }
 }