diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/path/join.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/path/join.rs
index 44a3a4ac5..e16efe25f 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/path/join.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/path/join.rs
@@ -73,9 +73,7 @@ the output of 'path parse' and 'path split' subcommands."#
                 "Input value cannot be joined".to_string(),
                 "value originates from here".into(),
                 head,
-                input
-                    .span()
-                    .expect("non-Empty non-ListStream PipelineData had no span"),
+                input.span().unwrap_or(call.head),
             )),
         }
     }