diff --git a/module/applications/sheets/companion.mjs b/module/applications/sheets/companion.mjs
index 1a0eb9f7..694a12f6 100644
--- a/module/applications/sheets/companion.mjs
+++ b/module/applications/sheets/companion.mjs
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ export default class DhCompanionSheet extends DaggerheartSheet(ActorSheetV2) {
     }
 
     async onPartnerChange(event) {
+        const partner = game.actors.find(a => a.uuid === event.target.value);
         if (event.target.value) {
-            const partner = game.actors.find(a => a.uuid === event.target.value);
             await partner.update({ 'system.companion': this.document.uuid });
         } else {
             const update = { 'system.companion': null };
@@ -74,6 +74,10 @@ export default class DhCompanionSheet extends DaggerheartSheet(ActorSheetV2) {
         }
 
         await this.document.update({ 'system.partner': event.target.value });
+
+        if (!partner) {
+            await this.document.updateLevel(1);
+        }
     }
 
     static async attackRoll(event) {