diff --git a/lib/liquid/tags/echo.rb b/lib/liquid/tags/echo.rb
index 57b67dad..e82b8cd3 100644
--- a/lib/liquid/tags/echo.rb
+++ b/lib/liquid/tags/echo.rb
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ module Liquid
     end
 
     def render(context)
-      @variable.render_to_output_buffer(context, +'')
+      variable&.render_to_output_buffer(context, +'')
     end
   end