diff --git a/routers/api/v1/repo/issue_bulk.go b/routers/api/v1/repo/issue_bulk.go
index 1497157598..b7642e843f 100644
--- a/routers/api/v1/repo/issue_bulk.go
+++ b/routers/api/v1/repo/issue_bulk.go
@@ -344,6 +344,12 @@ func BulkSetIssueAssignees(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 			continue
 		}
 
+		if err := issue.LoadRepo(ctx); err != nil {
+			result.Failures[index] = err.Error()
+			result.FailureCount++
+			continue
+		}
+
 		if err := issue.LoadAssignees(ctx); err != nil {
 			result.Failures[index] = err.Error()
 			result.FailureCount++