--- loncom/homework/structuretags.pm	2015/12/10 16:26:43	1.543
+++ loncom/homework/structuretags.pm	2016/01/06 18:08:04	1.544
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA 
 # definition of tags that give a structure to a document
 #
-# $Id: structuretags.pm,v 1.543 2015/12/10 16:26:43 damieng Exp $
+# $Id: structuretags.pm,v 1.544 2016/01/06 18:08:04 damieng Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -1731,7 +1731,10 @@ sub start_problem {
 	      '<input type="hidden" name="submitted" value="yes" />';
 	    # create a page header and exit
 	    if ($env{'request.state'} eq "construct") {
-                unless ($env{'form.inhibitmenu'} eq 'yes') {
+                if ($env{'form.inhibitmenu'} eq 'yes') {
+                    # error messages can be useful in any case
+                    $result.= &Apache::lonxml::message_location();
+                } else {
 		    $result.= &problem_web_to_edit_header($env{'form.rndseed'});
                 }
                 if ($Apache::lonhomework::type eq 'practice') {