diff --git a/src/lib/i18n/useIntl.tsx b/src/lib/i18n/useIntl.tsx
index 5d03293e..abccaf7a 100644
--- a/src/lib/i18n/useIntl.tsx
+++ b/src/lib/i18n/useIntl.tsx
@@ -8,10 +8,10 @@ import { formatMessage } from "./formatmessage";
 
   This UI library needs to support the following scenarios:
 
-  - An application with extensive Internationalization support
+  - An application with extensive internationalization support
     (using react-intl).
 
-  - An application with basic Internationalization using translated labels
+  - An application with basic internationalization using translated labels
     passed as props.
 
   - No internalisation (default messages only).
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ const getLocalizedFallbackIntl = (
         // messages not loaded.
       }
       const message =
-        messages[descriptor.id || ""].defaultMessage ||
+        messages[descriptor.id || ""]?.defaultMessage ||
         descriptor.defaultMessage;
       return formatMessage(message, context);
     },