diff --git a/packages/nx/src/migrations/update-17-0-0/rm-default-collection-npm-scope.ts b/packages/nx/src/migrations/update-17-0-0/rm-default-collection-npm-scope.ts
index 940ada93aab4f..b4dbfe8a8c628 100644
--- a/packages/nx/src/migrations/update-17-0-0/rm-default-collection-npm-scope.ts
+++ b/packages/nx/src/migrations/update-17-0-0/rm-default-collection-npm-scope.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ export default async function update(tree: Tree) {
 
   delete nxJson.cli?.['defaultCollection'];
 
-  if (Object.keys(nxJson.cli).length < 1) {
+  if (nxJson?.cli && Object.keys(nxJson.cli).length < 1) {
     delete nxJson.cli;
   }