diff --git a/modules/protocol_post_processing_helper.py b/modules/protocol_post_processing_helper.py
index 04d3cc5..87d36b7 100644
--- a/modules/protocol_post_processing_helper.py
+++ b/modules/protocol_post_processing_helper.py
@@ -310,7 +310,8 @@ def load_folder(
 
         if include_composite_and_stitched_images:
             # Create empty 'Tile label' for already stitched images
-            stitched_images_df['Tile'] = ""
+            if stitched_images_df is not None:
+                stitched_images_df['Tile'] = ""
 
             composite_and_stitched_images_df = self._get_post_generated_images(
                 parent_path=path,
diff --git a/version.txt b/version.txt
index 661e7ae..27f9cd3 100644
--- a/version.txt
+++ b/version.txt
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.7.3
+1.8.0