diff --git a/src/relentless/optimize/objective.py b/src/relentless/optimize/objective.py
index d2f1fe0b..e6ffea1a 100644
--- a/src/relentless/optimize/objective.py
+++ b/src/relentless/optimize/objective.py
@@ -585,21 +585,22 @@ def _calc_ensemble_average_dvar_gradient(self, trajectory, variables):
                 filter_j_gt_i = neighbors[:, 1] > neighbors[:, 0]
                 neighbors.filter(filter_j_gt_i)
                 # pair contributions to the gradient
-                for i in self.potentials.pair.types:
-                    for j in self.potentials.pair.types:
-                        filter_ij = numpy.logical_and(
-                            type_masks[i][neighbors[:, 0]],
-                            type_masks[j][neighbors[:, 1]],
-                        )
-                        for var in variables:
-                            gradient[var] += numpy.sum(
-                                self.potentials.pair.derivative(
-                                    (i, j), var, x=neighbors.distances[filter_ij]
-                                )
+                if self.potentials.pair is not None:
+                    for i in self.potentials.pair.types:
+                        for j in self.potentials.pair.types:
+                            filter_ij = numpy.logical_and(
+                                type_masks[i][neighbors[:, 0]],
+                                type_masks[j][neighbors[:, 1]],
                             )
+                            for var in variables:
+                                gradient[var] += numpy.sum(
+                                    self.potentials.pair.derivative(
+                                        (i, j), var, x=neighbors.distances[filter_ij]
+                                    )
+                                )
 
                 # bond contributions to the gradient
-                if snap.bonds.N != 0:
+                if self.potentials.bond is not None and snap.bonds.N != 0:
                     bond_type_map = {
                         type: i for i, type in enumerate(self.potentials.bond.types)
                     }
@@ -624,7 +625,7 @@ def _calc_ensemble_average_dvar_gradient(self, trajectory, variables):
                             )
 
                 # angle contributions to the gradient
-                if snap.angles.N != 0:
+                if self.potentials.angle is not None and snap.angles.N != 0:
                     angle_type_map = {
                         type: i for i, type in enumerate(self.potentials.angle.types)
                     }
@@ -657,7 +658,7 @@ def _calc_ensemble_average_dvar_gradient(self, trajectory, variables):
                             )
 
                 # dihedral contributions to the gradient
-                if snap.dihedrals.N != 0:
+                if self.potentials.dihedral is not None and snap.dihedrals.N != 0:
                     dihedral_type_map = {
                         type: i for i, type in enumerate(self.potentials.dihedral.types)
                     }
diff --git a/tests/optimize/test_objective.py b/tests/optimize/test_objective.py
index 42e49177..261bc25e 100644
--- a/tests/optimize/test_objective.py
+++ b/tests/optimize/test_objective.py
@@ -882,6 +882,42 @@ def test_compute_all_exclusions(self):
         # test B-B pair contributions
         self.assertAlmostEqual(res[self.sigma_BB], 0.0, delta=1e-3)
 
+    def test_compute_no_bonded_potentials(self):
+        self.potentials.bond = None
+        self.potentials.angle = None
+        self.potentials.dihedral = None
+
+        self.target = self.create_gsd_mers_tgt()
+
+        # add 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4 exclusions to the pair potential
+        self.potentials.pair.exclusions = ["1-2", "1-3", "1-4"]
+
+        relent = relentless.optimize.RelativeEntropy(
+            self.target,
+            self.simulation,
+            self.potentials,
+            self.thermo,
+            T=1.0,
+            extensive=True,
+        )
+        sim_traj = self.create_gsd_two_4mers_sim()
+
+        vars = (
+            self.sigma_AA,
+            self.sigma_AB,
+            self.sigma_BB,
+        )
+        res = relent._compute_gradient_direct_average(sim_traj, vars)
+
+        # test A-A pair contributions
+        self.assertAlmostEqual(res[self.sigma_AA], 0.0, delta=1e-3)
+
+        # test A-B pair contributions
+        self.assertAlmostEqual(res[self.sigma_AB], 0.0, delta=1e-3)
+
+        # test B-B pair contributions
+        self.assertAlmostEqual(res[self.sigma_BB], 0.0, delta=1e-3)
+
     def test_intensive(self):
         """Test compute and compute_gradient methods"""
         self.target = self.create_gsd_mers_tgt()