diff --git a/ts/services/backups/export.preload.ts b/ts/services/backups/export.preload.ts
index 04ad123aa2..c4bc4447cb 100644
--- a/ts/services/backups/export.preload.ts
+++ b/ts/services/backups/export.preload.ts
@@ -3962,9 +3962,14 @@ export class BackupExportStream extends Readable {
       );
 
       const index = this.#customColorIdByUuid.get(customColorId);
-      strictAssert(index != null, 'Missing custom color');
-
-      bubbleColor = { customColorId: index };
+      if (index != null) {
+        bubbleColor = { customColorId: index };
+      } else {
+        log.warn(
+          `toChatStyle: chat style referenced unknown custom color ${customColorId}`
+        );
+        bubbleColor = { autoBubbleColor: {} };
+      }
     } else {
       const { BubbleColorPreset } = Backups.ChatStyle;