--- loncom/interface/loncommon.pm	2019/08/22 00:11:04	1.1075.2.137
+++ loncom/interface/loncommon.pm	2019/08/25 22:56:14	1.1075.2.138
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # a pile of common routines
 #
-# $Id: loncommon.pm,v 1.1075.2.137 2019/08/22 00:11:04 raeburn Exp $
+# $Id: loncommon.pm,v 1.1075.2.138 2019/08/25 22:56:14 raeburn Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -3175,16 +3175,17 @@ sub check_passwd_rules {
     my ($domain,$plainpass) = @_;
     my %passwdconf = &Apache::lonnet::get_passwdconf($domain);
     my ($min,$max,@chars,@brokerule,$warning);
+    $min = $Apache::lonnet::passwdmin;
     if (ref($passwdconf{'chars'}) eq 'ARRAY') {
         if ($passwdconf{'min'} =~ /^\d+$/) {
-            $min = $passwdconf{'min'};
+            if ($passwdconf{'min'} > $min) {
+                $min = $passwdconf{'min'};
+            }
         }
         if ($passwdconf{'max'} =~ /^\d+$/) {
             $max = $passwdconf{'max'};
         }
         @chars = @{$passwdconf{'chars'}};
-    } else {
-        $min = 7;
     }
     if (($min) && (length($plainpass) < $min)) {
         push(@brokerule,'min');