diff --git a/awx/main/models/jobs.py b/awx/main/models/jobs.py
index 502242cd2d..826b7ae304 100644
--- a/awx/main/models/jobs.py
+++ b/awx/main/models/jobs.py
@@ -447,7 +447,10 @@ class Job(UnifiedJob, JobOptions):
     def handle_extra_data(self, extra_data):
         if extra_data == "":
             return
-        evars = json.loads(self.extra_vars)
+        try:
+            evars = json.loads(self.extra_vars)
+        catch Exception, e:
+            return
         evars.update(extra_data)
         self.update_fields(extra_vars=json.dumps(evars))