diff --git a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/sale.rb b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/sale.rb
index bca02f526..70279f8eb 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/sale.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/sale.rb
@@ -151,6 +151,14 @@ module JamRuby
             sale.recurly_total_in_cents = 0
             sale.recurly_currency = 'USD'
 
+            if sale.sale_line_items.count == 0
+              @@log.info("no sale line items associated with sale")
+              # we must have ditched some of the sale items.   let's just abort this sale
+              sale.destroy
+              sale = nil
+              return sale
+            end
+
             sale_line_item = sale.sale_line_items[0]
             sale_line_item.recurly_tax_in_cents = 0
             sale_line_item.recurly_total_in_cents = 0