diff --git a/emgapi/management/commands/ebi_search_analysis_dump.py b/emgapi/management/commands/ebi_search_analysis_dump.py
index 8514f98b1..cb49508f8 100644
--- a/emgapi/management/commands/ebi_search_analysis_dump.py
+++ b/emgapi/management/commands/ebi_search_analysis_dump.py
@@ -73,7 +73,8 @@ def get_analysis_context(self, analysis: AnalysisJob):
             logger.debug(f"Could not find IPS terms for {analysis.job_id}")
             ips_annotation = None
 
-        biome_list = analysis.study.biome.lineage.split(":")[1:]
+        biome_list = analysis.study.biome.lineage.split(":")[1:] or ['root']
+        # to ensure there are no empty hierarchical fields
 
         taxonomy_lists = []
         if analysis_taxonomy:
diff --git a/emgapi/management/commands/ebi_search_study_dump.py b/emgapi/management/commands/ebi_search_study_dump.py
index 1bee1aa08..888529262 100644
--- a/emgapi/management/commands/ebi_search_study_dump.py
+++ b/emgapi/management/commands/ebi_search_study_dump.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ def write_without_blank_lines(fp, string):
 
     @staticmethod
     def get_study_context(study: Study):
-        biome_list = study.biome.lineage.split(":")[1:]
+        biome_list = study.biome.lineage.split(":")[1:] or ['root']
 
         return {
             "study": study,