diff --git a/src/autoMesh/autoHexMesh/meshRefinement/meshRefinementBaffles.C b/src/autoMesh/autoHexMesh/meshRefinement/meshRefinementBaffles.C
index c9c2d14c1306b16c67eee7cdc9e3436c44f92b06..a92f61a78adbf93d7cdaf3079069c006fe5e9ca8 100644
--- a/src/autoMesh/autoHexMesh/meshRefinement/meshRefinementBaffles.C
+++ b/src/autoMesh/autoHexMesh/meshRefinement/meshRefinementBaffles.C
@@ -1838,7 +1838,11 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::mapPolyMesh>  Foam::meshRefinement::splitMesh
     const labelList& faceNeighbour = mesh_.faceNeighbour();
 
     // Patch for exposed faces for lack of anything sensible.
-    const label defaultPatch = globalToPatch[0];
+    label defaultPatch = 0;
+    if (globalToPatch.size() > 0)
+    {
+        defaultPatch = globalToPatch[0];
+    }
 
     for (label i = 0; i < nBufferLayers; i++)
     {