diff --git a/awx/main/models/unified_jobs.py b/awx/main/models/unified_jobs.py
index 91285ecc16..4e4af4c8ef 100644
--- a/awx/main/models/unified_jobs.py
+++ b/awx/main/models/unified_jobs.py
@@ -879,6 +879,7 @@ class UnifiedJob(PolymorphicModel, PasswordFieldsModel, CommonModelNameNotUnique
 
     def handle_extra_data(self, extra_data):
         if hasattr(self, 'extra_vars') and extra_data:
+            extra_data_dict = {}
             try:
                 extra_data_dict = parse_yaml_or_json(extra_data, silent_failure=False)
             except Exception as e: