How to bind column to a field of complex object when object can be null

public Department Department { get; set; } = new Department();

HtmlAttributes(new { data_bind = "value: Department" })

VM53633:3 Uncaught TypeError: Cannot read properties of null (reading 'Name')
    at eval (eval at compile (kendo.all.js:307701:86), <anonymous>:3:239)
    at init._displayCell (kendo.all.js:307701:86)
    at init.closeCell (kendo.all.js:307701:86)
    at i (kendo.all.js:307701:86)
    at kendo.all.js:307701:86

@(Html.Kendo().ComboBoxFor(m => m)
    .DataTextField("Name")
    .DataValueField("Id")
    .Filter(FilterType.Contains)
    .HtmlAttributes(new { data_bind = "value: Department" })
    .DataSource(source =>
    {
        source.Read(read =>
        {
            read.Action("GetDepartments", "Home");
        });
    }))

    public class Department : Entity
    {
        public string Name { get; set; } = string.Empty;
        
        public virtual List<User> Users { get; set; }
        public virtual List<Project> Projects { get; set; }
    }