--- loncom/interface/loncommon.pm	2008/12/15 11:44:41	1.717
+++ loncom/interface/loncommon.pm	2008/12/15 16:37:44	1.718
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # a pile of common routines
 #
-# $Id: loncommon.pm,v 1.717 2008/12/15 11:44:41 tempelho Exp $
+# $Id: loncommon.pm,v 1.718 2008/12/15 16:37:44 raeburn Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -6031,13 +6031,14 @@ sub start_page {
 		$result = &html_encode($result);
     }
 
-	if (exists $args->{'bread_crumbs'}) {
-		&Apache::lonhtmlcommon::clear_breadcrumbs();
-		my $temp = $args->{'bread_crumbs'};
-		foreach my $crumb (@$temp){
-			&Apache::lonhtmlcommon::add_breadcrumb($crumb);
-		}
-		$result .= &Apache::lonhtmlcommon::breadcrumbs();
+    if (exists($args->{'bread_crumbs'})) {
+        &Apache::lonhtmlcommon::clear_breadcrumbs();
+        if (ref($args->{'bread_crumbs'}) eq 'ARRAY') {         
+            foreach my $crumb (@{$args->{'bread_crumbs'}}){
+                &Apache::lonhtmlcommon::add_breadcrumb($crumb);
+            }
+        }
+        $result .= &Apache::lonhtmlcommon::breadcrumbs();
     }
 
     return $result;