Edit properties of mc that doesn't stay loaded

programming flash
1

I have a dilemma. ***I want to change the color of a movie clip that doesn’t always stay loaded on the timeline ***(equivalent to changing tint in color effects). In other words, the movie clip has some frames on the timeline where it isn’t present.

This is the code I use to change the color of my movie clip. It only works when the movie clip is on every frame of the timeline (which I don’t want).

                var color2:ColorTransform = folding1.transform.colorTransform;
                color2.color = 0x99628B;
                folding1.transform.colorTransform = color2;

I get this error because the it is trying access the color of a movie clip that doesn’t exist yet.
TypeError: Error #1009: Cannot access a property or method of a null object reference.

I am trying to find a workaround. Ideas? Solutions?