diff --git a/Classes/Updates/DatabasePublishDateUpdate.php b/Classes/Updates/DatabasePublishDateUpdate.php
index 63546fd5..af919e6f 100644
--- a/Classes/Updates/DatabasePublishDateUpdate.php
+++ b/Classes/Updates/DatabasePublishDateUpdate.php
@@ -105,6 +105,12 @@ public function executeUpdate(): bool
      */
     public function updateNecessary(): bool
     {
+        $connection = GeneralUtility::makeInstance(ConnectionPool::class)->getConnectionForTable('pages');
+        $tableColumns = $connection->getSchemaManager()->listTableColumns('pages');
+        if (!isset($tableColumns['publish_date'])) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
         $queryBuilder = GeneralUtility::makeInstance(ConnectionPool::class)
             ->getQueryBuilderForTable('pages');
         $queryBuilder->getRestrictions()->removeAll();