diff --git a/includes/class-wc-referralcandy-integration.php b/includes/class-wc-referralcandy-integration.php
index 837e8fc..202cdd6 100644
--- a/includes/class-wc-referralcandy-integration.php
+++ b/includes/class-wc-referralcandy-integration.php
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ public function add_referrer_id($post_id) {
             try {
                 if (in_array(get_post($post_id)->post_type, ['shop_order', 'shop_subscription'])) {
                     // prevent admin cookies from automatically adding a referrer_id; this can be done manually though
-                    if (is_admin() == false) {
+                    if (is_admin() == false && isset($_COOKIE['rc_referrer_id'])) {
                         update_post_meta($post_id, 'rc_referrer_id',  $_COOKIE['rc_referrer_id']);
                     }
                 }
diff --git a/readme.txt b/readme.txt
index da2c392..17f0150 100644
--- a/readme.txt
+++ b/readme.txt
@@ -72,6 +72,9 @@ We maintain a list of FAQs on our [help page](http://help.referralcandy.com/)!
 
 == Changelog ==
 
+= 2.2.3 =
+* Fixed issue where the plugin uses the `rc_referrer_id` cookie even if non-existent
+
 = 2.2.2 =
 * Fixed failing code for logging API requests
 
diff --git a/woocommerce-referralcandy.php b/woocommerce-referralcandy.php
index 730da4b..7d86691 100644
--- a/woocommerce-referralcandy.php
+++ b/woocommerce-referralcandy.php
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
  * Author: ReferralCandy
  * Author URI: http://www.referralcandy.com
  * Text Domain: woocommerce-referralcandy
- * Version: 2.2.2
+ * Version: 2.2.3
  *
  * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
  * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by