diff --git a/R/plot_with_settings.R b/R/plot_with_settings.R
index 4e860cac..cebb689c 100644
--- a/R/plot_with_settings.R
+++ b/R/plot_with_settings.R
@@ -591,7 +591,7 @@ type_download_srv <- function(id, plot_reactive, plot_type, plot_w, default_w, p
 #'
 clean_brushedPoints <- function(data, brush) { # nolintr
   checkmate::assert_data_frame(data)
-  checkmate::assert_list(brush)
+  checkmate::assert_list(brush, null.ok = TRUE)
 
   # define original panelvar1 and panelvar2 before getting overwritten
   original_panelvar1 <- brush$mapping$panelvar1