--- loncom/interface/loncommon.pm	2010/10/27 01:04:10	1.984
+++ loncom/interface/loncommon.pm	2010/10/29 20:41:43	1.985
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # a pile of common routines
 #
-# $Id: loncommon.pm,v 1.984 2010/10/27 01:04:10 raeburn Exp $
+# $Id: loncommon.pm,v 1.985 2010/10/29 20:41:43 raeburn Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -8560,7 +8560,17 @@ sub check_for_existing {
 sub check_for_upload {
     my ($path,$fname,$group,$element,$portfolio_root,$port_path,
         $disk_quota,$current_disk_usage,$uname,$udom) = @_;
-    my $filesize = (length($env{'form.'.$element})) / 1000; #express in k (1024?)
+    my $filesize = length($env{'form.'.$element});
+    if (!$filesize) {
+        my $msg = '<span class="LC_error">'.
+                  &mt('Unable to upload [_1]. (size = [_2] bytes)', 
+                      '<span class="LC_filename">'.$fname.'</span>',
+                      $filesize).'<br />'.
+                  &mt('Either the file you uploaded was empty, or your web browser was unable to read its contents.').'<br />'; 
+                  '</span>';
+        return ('zero_bytes',$msg);
+    }
+    $filesize =  $filesize/1000; #express in k (1024?)
     my $getpropath = 1;
     my @dir_list = &Apache::lonnet::dirlist($portfolio_root.$path,$udom,$uname,
                                             $getpropath);