diff --git a/Emby.Server.Implementations/Data/SqliteItemRepository.cs b/Emby.Server.Implementations/Data/SqliteItemRepository.cs
index 34d753093..d27b7185a 100644
--- a/Emby.Server.Implementations/Data/SqliteItemRepository.cs
+++ b/Emby.Server.Implementations/Data/SqliteItemRepository.cs
@@ -5222,19 +5222,20 @@ AND Type = @InternalPersonType)");
                 throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(itemId));
             }
 
-            ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(people);
-
             CheckDisposed();
 
             using var connection = GetConnection();
             using var transaction = connection.BeginTransaction();
-            // First delete chapters
+            // Delete all existing people first
             using var command = connection.CreateCommand();
             command.CommandText = "delete from People where ItemId=@ItemId";
             command.TryBind("@ItemId", itemId);
             command.ExecuteNonQuery();
 
-            InsertPeople(itemId, people, connection);
+            if (people is not null)
+            {
+                InsertPeople(itemId, people, connection);
+            }
 
             transaction.Commit();
         }
diff --git a/Emby.Server.Implementations/Library/LibraryManager.cs b/Emby.Server.Implementations/Library/LibraryManager.cs
index cca835e4f..e66f2496a 100644
--- a/Emby.Server.Implementations/Library/LibraryManager.cs
+++ b/Emby.Server.Implementations/Library/LibraryManager.cs
@@ -2812,8 +2812,10 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Library
             }
 
             _itemRepository.UpdatePeople(item.Id, people);
-
-            await SavePeopleMetadataAsync(people, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+            if (people is not null)
+            {
+                await SavePeopleMetadataAsync(people, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+            }
         }
 
         public async Task<ItemImageInfo> ConvertImageToLocal(BaseItem item, ItemImageInfo image, int imageIndex, bool removeOnFailure)