--- loncom/interface/lonhelper.pm	2009/02/13 20:20:30	1.170
+++ loncom/interface/lonhelper.pm	2009/03/17 11:13:59	1.171
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # .helper XML handler to implement the LON-CAPA helper
 #
-# $Id: lonhelper.pm,v 1.170 2009/02/13 20:20:30 schafran Exp $
+# $Id: lonhelper.pm,v 1.171 2009/03/17 11:13:59 foxr Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -188,6 +188,8 @@ use Apache::lonlocal;
 use Apache::lonnet;
 use Apache::longroup;
 use Apache::lonselstudent;
+
+
 use LONCAPA;
 
 # Register all the tags with the helper, so the helper can 
@@ -1508,12 +1510,15 @@ sub postprocess {
     my $self = shift;
     my $chosenValue = $env{'form.' . $self->{'variable'} . '_forminput'};
 
+
     if (!defined($chosenValue) && !$self->{'allowempty'}) {
         $self->{ERROR_MSG} = 
 	    &mt("You must choose one or more choices to continue.");
         return 0;
     }
 
+
+
     if (ref($chosenValue)) {
         $helper->{VARS}->{$self->{'variable'}} = join('|||', @$chosenValue);
     }
@@ -2446,6 +2451,21 @@ sub postprocess {
         $self->{ERROR_MSG} = 'You must choose at least one resource to continue.';
         return 0;
     }
+    # For each of the attached options.  If it's env var is undefined, set it to
+    # an empty string instead.. an undef'd env var means no choices selected.
+    #
+
+    my $option_vars = $self->{OPTION_VARS};
+    if ($option_vars) {
+	foreach my $var (@$option_vars) {
+	    my $env_name = "form.".$var."_forminput";
+	    if (!defined($env{$env_name})) {
+		$env{$env_name} = '';
+		$helper->{VARS}->{$var} = '';
+	    }
+	}
+    }
+
 
     if (defined($self->{NEXTSTATE})) {
         $helper->changeState($self->{NEXTSTATE});