diff --git a/elastalert/alerts.py b/elastalert/alerts.py
index d3fa7518f..f2f31853f 100644
--- a/elastalert/alerts.py
+++ b/elastalert/alerts.py
@@ -868,7 +868,9 @@ def create_default_title(self, matches, for_search=False):
         if for_search:
             return title
 
-        title += ' - %s' % (pretty_ts(matches[0][self.rule['timestamp_field']], self.rule.get('use_local_time')))
+        timestamp = matches[0].get(self.rule['timestamp_field'])
+        if timestamp:
+            title += ' - %s' % (pretty_ts(timestamp, self.rule.get('use_local_time')))
 
         # Add count for spikes
         count = matches[0].get('spike_count')