diff --git a/awx/main/tasks.py b/awx/main/tasks.py
index 5f98684e3b..d76810a465 100644
--- a/awx/main/tasks.py
+++ b/awx/main/tasks.py
@@ -1180,7 +1180,11 @@ class BaseTask(object):
         '''
         Ansible runner callback to tell the job when/if it is canceled
         '''
-        self.instance = self.update_model(self.instance.pk)
+        unified_job_id = self.instance.pk
+        self.instance = self.update_model(unified_job_id)
+        if not self.instance:
+            logger.error('unified job {} was deleted while running, canceling'.format(unified_job_id))
+            return True
         if self.instance.cancel_flag or self.instance.status == 'canceled':
             cancel_wait = (now() - self.instance.modified).seconds if self.instance.modified else 0
             if cancel_wait > 5: