diff --git a/crates/bevy_ecs/src/system/commands.rs b/crates/bevy_ecs/src/system/commands.rs
index 90adfb8dc510c..0ae01143043ef 100644
--- a/crates/bevy_ecs/src/system/commands.rs
+++ b/crates/bevy_ecs/src/system/commands.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use crate::{
     entity::{Entities, Entity},
     world::World,
 };
-use bevy_utils::tracing::debug;
+use bevy_utils::tracing::{debug, warn};
 use std::marker::PhantomData;
 
 /// A [`World`] mutation.
@@ -353,7 +353,11 @@ where
     T: Component,
 {
     fn write(self: Box<Self>, world: &mut World) {
-        world.entity_mut(self.entity).insert(self.component);
+        if let Some(mut entity) = world.get_entity_mut(self.entity) {
+            entity.insert(self.component);
+        } else {
+            warn!("Attempt to write to entity that no longer exists");
+        }
     }
 }