diff --git a/qiita_db/artifact.py b/qiita_db/artifact.py
index f9321f1f6..15aa20a7f 100644
--- a/qiita_db/artifact.py
+++ b/qiita_db/artifact.py
@@ -573,11 +573,12 @@ def delete(cls, artifact_id):
                      WHERE artifact_id = %s"""
             qdb.sql_connection.TRN.add(sql, [artifact_id])
 
-            # If the artifact doesn't have parents, we move the files to the
-            # uploads folder. We also need to nullify the column in the prep
-            # template table
-            if not instance.parents:
-                qdb.util.move_filepaths_to_upload_folder(study.id, filepaths)
+            # If the artifact doesn't have parents and study is not None (is an
+            # analysis), we move the files to the uploads folder. We also need
+            # to nullify the column in the prep template table
+            if not instance.parents and study is not None:
+                qdb.util.move_filepaths_to_upload_folder(
+                    study.id, filepaths)
 
                 sql = """UPDATE qiita.prep_template
                          SET artifact_id = NULL
diff --git a/qiita_db/test/test_artifact.py b/qiita_db/test/test_artifact.py
index 6441f6baf..eb573eb1f 100644
--- a/qiita_db/test/test_artifact.py
+++ b/qiita_db/test/test_artifact.py
@@ -721,6 +721,9 @@ def test_create_root_analysis(self):
         self.assertIsNone(obs.study)
         self.assertEqual(obs.analysis, qdb.analysis.Analysis(1))
 
+        # testing that it can be deleted
+        qdb.artifact.Artifact.delete(obs.id)
+
     def test_create_processed(self):
         exp_params = qdb.software.Parameters.from_default_params(
             qdb.software.DefaultParameters(1), {'input_data': 1})