diff --git a/src/SimulationRunner.cc b/src/SimulationRunner.cc
index 29c24228a8..1cb022ffae 100644
--- a/src/SimulationRunner.cc
+++ b/src/SimulationRunner.cc
@@ -914,6 +914,17 @@ void SimulationRunner::Step(const UpdateInfo &_info)
   GZ_PROFILE("SimulationRunner::Step");
   this->currentInfo = _info;
 
+  // The Run method does not check for entity creation each iteration
+  // on network secondaries, so check here to ensure that performers
+  // have parents assigned.
+  if (this->networkMgr && this->networkMgr->IsSecondary())
+  {
+    if (this->createEntities)
+    {
+      this->CreateEntities();
+    }
+  }
+
   // Process new ECM state information, typically sent from the GUI after
   // a change was made to the GUI's ECM.
   this->ProcessNewWorldControlState();
diff --git a/src/network/NetworkManagerSecondary.cc b/src/network/NetworkManagerSecondary.cc
index 8c34ce343c..2d836ef52a 100644
--- a/src/network/NetworkManagerSecondary.cc
+++ b/src/network/NetworkManagerSecondary.cc
@@ -130,7 +130,10 @@ void NetworkManagerSecondary::OnStep(
     {
       auto parent =
           this->dataPtr->ecm->Component<components::ParentEntity>(entityId);
-      this->dataPtr->ecm->RequestRemoveEntity(parent->Data());
+      if (parent != nullptr)
+      {
+        this->dataPtr->ecm->RequestRemoveEntity(parent->Data());
+      }
 
       if (this->performers.find(entityId) != this->performers.end())
       {