diff --git a/beets/util/lyrics.py b/beets/util/lyrics.py
index 18d886e7f0..e3909394ed 100644
--- a/beets/util/lyrics.py
+++ b/beets/util/lyrics.py
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ def _split_lines(self) -> list[tuple[str, str]]:
         """
         return [
             (m[1], m[2]) if (m := self.LINE_PARTS_PAT.match(line)) else ("", "")
-            for line in self.text.splitlines()
+            for line in (self.text or "").splitlines()
         ]
 
     @cached_property
diff --git a/beetsplug/lyrics.py b/beetsplug/lyrics.py
index 0e7c986cb8..62f85c7651 100644
--- a/beetsplug/lyrics.py
+++ b/beetsplug/lyrics.py
@@ -398,10 +398,10 @@ def fetch(
         for group in self.fetch_candidates(artist, title, album, length):
             candidates = [evaluate_item(item) for item in group]
             if item := self.pick_best_match(candidates):
-                lyrics = item.get_text(self.config["synced"].get(bool))
-                return Lyrics(
-                    lyrics, self.__class__.name, f"{self.GET_URL}/{item.id}"
-                )
+                if lyrics := item.get_text(self.config["synced"].get(bool)):
+                    return Lyrics(
+                        lyrics, self.__class__.name, f"{self.GET_URL}/{item.id}"
+                    )
 
         return None
 
diff --git a/test/plugins/test_lyrics.py b/test/plugins/test_lyrics.py
index 1251043774..7b79dee3d4 100644
--- a/test/plugins/test_lyrics.py
+++ b/test/plugins/test_lyrics.py
@@ -644,6 +644,11 @@ def test_synced_config_option(
                 "plain",
                 id="plain by default",
             ),
+            pytest.param(
+                [lyrics_match(syncedLyrics=None, plainLyrics=None)],
+                None,
+                id="no lyrics when both fields are null",
+            ),
             pytest.param(
                 [
                     lyrics_match(