diff --git a/langgraph/channels/base.py b/langgraph/channels/base.py
index 77f49bacb..bbabb5500 100644
--- a/langgraph/channels/base.py
+++ b/langgraph/channels/base.py
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ def create_checkpoint(
         channel_values=values,
         channel_versions=checkpoint["channel_versions"],
         versions_seen=checkpoint["versions_seen"],
-        pending_sends=checkpoint["pending_sends"],
+        pending_sends=checkpoint.get("pending_sends", []),
     )
 
 
diff --git a/langgraph/checkpoint/base.py b/langgraph/checkpoint/base.py
index bf87fa82c..7fb88eedc 100644
--- a/langgraph/checkpoint/base.py
+++ b/langgraph/checkpoint/base.py
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ def copy_checkpoint(checkpoint: Checkpoint) -> Checkpoint:
             _seen_dict,
             {k: defaultdict(int, v) for k, v in checkpoint["versions_seen"].items()},
         ),
-        pending_sends=checkpoint["pending_sends"].copy(),
+        pending_sends=checkpoint.get("pending_sends", []).copy(),
     )