--- loncom/interface/loncommon.pm	2008/12/31 23:15:42	1.729
+++ loncom/interface/loncommon.pm	2009/01/08 19:37:48	1.730
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # a pile of common routines
 #
-# $Id: loncommon.pm,v 1.729 2008/12/31 23:15:42 raeburn Exp $
+# $Id: loncommon.pm,v 1.730 2009/01/08 19:37:48 raeburn Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -9934,11 +9934,13 @@ sub get_annotation {
 }
 
 sub clean_symb {
-    my ($symb) = @_;
+    my ($symb,$delete) = @_;
 
     &Apache::lonenc::check_decrypt(\$symb);
     my $enc = $env{'request.enc'};
-    delete($env{'request.enc'});
+    if ($delete) {
+        delete($env{'request.enc'});
+    }
 
     return ($symb,$enc);
 }