diff --git a/google/cloud/bigtable/cluster.py b/google/cloud/bigtable/cluster.py
index 11fb5492d..859b693d7 100644
--- a/google/cloud/bigtable/cluster.py
+++ b/google/cloud/bigtable/cluster.py
@@ -511,9 +511,12 @@ def delete(self):
     def _to_pb(self):
         """Create cluster proto buff message for API calls"""
         client = self._instance._client
-        location = client.instance_admin_client.common_location_path(
-            client.project, self.location_id
-        )
+        if self.location_id:
+            location = client.instance_admin_client.common_location_path(
+                client.project, self.location_id
+            )
+        else:
+            location = None
 
         cluster_pb = instance.Cluster(
             location=location,