diff --git a/packages/cli/src/templates/footer.ejs b/packages/cli/src/templates/footer.ejs
index f17ae096..0fc406a0 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/templates/footer.ejs
+++ b/packages/cli/src/templates/footer.ejs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <script>
   window.addEventListener('load', function () {
-    __merkur__.create(<%- escapeToJSON(widgetProperties) %>)
+    window?.__merkur__?.create(<%- escapeToJSON(widgetProperties) %>)
       .then(function (widget) {
         widget.containerSelector = widget.containerSelector ?? '.merkur-main';