diff --git a/youtube_dl/extractor/nova.py b/youtube_dl/extractor/nova.py
index 631f24632..9083be424 100644
--- a/youtube_dl/extractor/nova.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/extractor/nova.py
@@ -44,8 +44,11 @@ class NovaEmbedIE(InfoExtractor):
         formats = []
         for format_id, format_list in bitrates.items():
             if format_id == 'hls':
+                m3u8_url = url_or_none(format_list)
+                if not m3u8_url:
+                    continue
                 formats.extend(self._extract_m3u8_formats(
-                    format_list, video_id, ext='mp4', m3u8_id='hls', fatal=False))
+                    m3u8_url, video_id, ext='mp4', m3u8_id='hls', fatal=False))
 
             if not isinstance(format_list, list):
                 continue