diff --git a/src/transformers/utils/hub.py b/src/transformers/utils/hub.py
index 92be9c0b0509..540c40294474 100644
--- a/src/transformers/utils/hub.py
+++ b/src/transformers/utils/hub.py
@@ -1198,6 +1198,9 @@ def create_and_tag_model_card(
         model_card = ModelCard.from_template(card_data, model_description=model_description)
 
     if tags is not None:
+        # Ensure model_card.data.tags is a list and not None
+        if model_card.data.tags is None:
+            model_card.data.tags = []
         for model_tag in tags:
             if model_tag not in model_card.data.tags:
                 model_card.data.tags.append(model_tag)