diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/experimental/view_source.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/experimental/view_source.rs
index 8958cb2f55..2226ddf7e4 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/experimental/view_source.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/experimental/view_source.rs
@@ -35,12 +35,16 @@ impl Command for ViewSource {
         let arg_span = arg.span()?;
 
         match arg {
-            Value::Block { span, .. } => {
-                let contents = engine_state.get_span_contents(&span);
-                Ok(
-                    Value::string(String::from_utf8_lossy(contents), call.head)
-                        .into_pipeline_data(),
-                )
+            Value::Block { val: block_id, .. } => {
+                let block = engine_state.get_block(block_id);
+
+                if let Some(span) = block.span {
+                    let contents = engine_state.get_span_contents(&span);
+                    Ok(Value::string(String::from_utf8_lossy(contents), call.head)
+                        .into_pipeline_data())
+                } else {
+                    Ok(Value::string("<internal command>", call.head).into_pipeline_data())
+                }
             }
             Value::String { val, .. } => {
                 if let Some(decl_id) = engine_state.find_decl(val.as_bytes()) {