diff --git a/pyx12/x12file.py b/pyx12/x12file.py
index 86f8ca75..1d85ae24 100644
--- a/pyx12/x12file.py
+++ b/pyx12/x12file.py
@@ -341,6 +341,10 @@ def _parse_segment(self, seg_data):
         X12Base._parse_segment(self, seg_data)
         seg_id = seg_data.get_seg_id()
         if seg_id == 'IEA':
+            if not self.loops:
+                err_str = 'IEA loop with malformed preceding segment'
+                self._isa_error('000', err_str) # what is the correct code to use?
+                return # nothing to delete
             if self.loops[-1][0] != 'ISA':
                 # Unterminated GS loop
                 err_str = 'Unterminated Loop %s' % (self.loops[-1][0])
diff --git a/pyx12/x12xml_simple.py b/pyx12/x12xml_simple.py
index 12894276..71ed6430 100644
--- a/pyx12/x12xml_simple.py
+++ b/pyx12/x12xml_simple.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ def seg(self, seg_node, seg_data):
         self.writer.push(xname, attrib)
         for i in range(len(seg_data)):
             child_node = seg_node.get_child_node_by_idx(i)
-            if child_node.usage == 'N' or seg_data.get('%02i' % (i + 1)).is_empty():
+            if child_node is None or child_node.usage == 'N' or seg_data.get('%02i' % (i + 1)).is_empty():
                 pass  # Do not try to ouput for invalid or empty elements
             elif child_node.is_composite():
                 (xname, attrib) = self._get_comp_info(seg_node_id)