diff --git a/gramps/gen/filters/rules/person/_isduplicatedancestorof.py b/gramps/gen/filters/rules/person/_isduplicatedancestorof.py
index b5caa6580..33f270d03 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/filters/rules/person/_isduplicatedancestorof.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/filters/rules/person/_isduplicatedancestorof.py
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ _ = glocale.translation.gettext
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 from .. import Rule
-from gramps.gen.errors import HandleError
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
@@ -67,11 +66,7 @@ class IsDuplicatedAncestorOf(Rule):
 
     def init_ancestor_list(self, db, person):
         fam_id = person.get_main_parents_family_handle()
-        try:
-            fam = db.get_family_from_handle(fam_id)
-        except HandleError:
-            # no such family; ignore
-            fam = None
+        fam = db.get_family_from_handle(fam_id)
         if fam:
             f_id = fam.get_father_handle()
             m_id = fam.get_mother_handle()