diff --git a/app/models/runtime/process_model.rb b/app/models/runtime/process_model.rb
index dad1d517ab..80ecffa2be 100644
--- a/app/models/runtime/process_model.rb
+++ b/app/models/runtime/process_model.rb
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ def started_command
     def run_action_user
       return user if user.present?
 
-      docker? ? docker_run_action_user : AppModel::DEFAULT_CONTAINER_USER
+      app&.docker? ? docker_run_action_user : AppModel::DEFAULT_CONTAINER_USER
     end
 
     def specified_or_detected_command
diff --git a/spec/unit/models/runtime/process_model_spec.rb b/spec/unit/models/runtime/process_model_spec.rb
index 8b8d0be3bd..565e7548fd 100644
--- a/spec/unit/models/runtime/process_model_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/unit/models/runtime/process_model_spec.rb
@@ -747,6 +747,17 @@ def act_as_cf_admin
           end
         end
       end
+
+      context 'when the associated app is nil' do
+        before do
+          process.app = nil
+        end
+
+        it 'does not raise an error and returns nil' do
+          expect { process.run_action_user }.not_to raise_error
+          expect(process.run_action_user).to eq('vcap')
+        end
+      end
     end
 
     describe '#specified_or_detected_command' do