--- loncom/interface/loncommon.pm	2013/08/20 14:33:42	1.1150
+++ loncom/interface/loncommon.pm	2013/08/28 14:00:00	1.1151
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # a pile of common routines
 #
-# $Id: loncommon.pm,v 1.1150 2013/08/20 14:33:42 bisitz Exp $
+# $Id: loncommon.pm,v 1.1151 2013/08/28 14:00:00 raeburn Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -8045,7 +8045,11 @@ function expand_div(caller) {
 
 sub simple_error_page {
     my ($r,$title,$msg,$args) = @_;
-    if (!$args->{'no_auto_mt_msg'}) { $msg = &mt($msg); }
+    if (ref($args) eq 'HASH') {
+        if (!$args->{'no_auto_mt_msg'}) { $msg = &mt($msg); }
+    } else {
+        $msg = &mt($msg);
+    }
 
     my $page =
 	&Apache::loncommon::start_page($title).