diff --git a/python/hsfs/feature_group.py b/python/hsfs/feature_group.py
index ac765a131d..68a34dafe8 100644
--- a/python/hsfs/feature_group.py
+++ b/python/hsfs/feature_group.py
@@ -722,13 +722,17 @@ def __init__(
             self._partition_key = [
                 feat.name for feat in self._features if feat.partition is True
             ]
-            if time_travel_format is not None and time_travel_format.upper() == "HUDI":
+            if (
+                time_travel_format is not None
+                and time_travel_format.upper() == "HUDI"
+                and self._features
+            ):
                 # hudi precombine key is always a single feature
                 self._hudi_precombine_key = [
                     feat.name
                     for feat in self._features
                     if feat.hudi_precombine_key is True
-                ][0]
+                ]
             else:
                 self._hudi_precombine_key = None