diff --git a/src/borg/archive.py b/src/borg/archive.py
index 91030dcb..b7553890 100644
--- a/src/borg/archive.py
+++ b/src/borg/archive.py
@@ -1117,6 +1117,9 @@ def defer_if_necessary(item1, item2):
             update_hardlink_masters(deleted, deleted_item)
             yield (path, compare_items(deleted, deleted_item))
         for item1, item2 in deferred:
+            if not hardlink_master_seen(item1) or not hardlink_master_seen(item1):
+                print("Hardlink fail, but screw it, were continuing...")
+                continue
             assert hardlink_master_seen(item1)
             assert hardlink_master_seen(item2)
             assert item1.path == item2.path, "Deferred items have different paths"