diff --git a/classes/massactionutils.php b/classes/massactionutils.php
index b4b0dde..d3f87b1 100644
--- a/classes/massactionutils.php
+++ b/classes/massactionutils.php
@@ -159,6 +159,9 @@ public static function duplicate_cm_to_course(object $course, object $cm): int {
                 }
             }
         }
+        if (empty($newcmid)) {
+            throw new \moodle_exception('Could not duplicate course module from id ' . $cm->id);
+        }
         return $newcmid;
     }
 }