diff --git a/pkg/plugin/framework/backup_item_action_client.go b/pkg/plugin/framework/backup_item_action_client.go
index 2a3f0a1d4..52b79a816 100644
--- a/pkg/plugin/framework/backup_item_action_client.go
+++ b/pkg/plugin/framework/backup_item_action_client.go
@@ -62,6 +62,10 @@ func (c *BackupItemActionGRPCClient) AppliesTo() (velero.ResourceSelector, error
 		return velero.ResourceSelector{}, fromGRPCError(err)
 	}
 
+	if res.ResourceSelector == nil {
+		return velero.ResourceSelector{}, nil
+	}
+
 	return velero.ResourceSelector{
 		IncludedNamespaces: res.ResourceSelector.IncludedNamespaces,
 		ExcludedNamespaces: res.ResourceSelector.ExcludedNamespaces,
diff --git a/pkg/plugin/framework/restore_item_action_client.go b/pkg/plugin/framework/restore_item_action_client.go
index ef081c153..06622e26d 100644
--- a/pkg/plugin/framework/restore_item_action_client.go
+++ b/pkg/plugin/framework/restore_item_action_client.go
@@ -58,6 +58,10 @@ func (c *RestoreItemActionGRPCClient) AppliesTo() (velero.ResourceSelector, erro
 		return velero.ResourceSelector{}, fromGRPCError(err)
 	}
 
+	if res.ResourceSelector == nil {
+		return velero.ResourceSelector{}, nil
+	}
+
 	return velero.ResourceSelector{
 		IncludedNamespaces: res.ResourceSelector.IncludedNamespaces,
 		ExcludedNamespaces: res.ResourceSelector.ExcludedNamespaces,