--- loncom/interface/lonmsg.pm	2005/12/21 22:58:07	1.165
+++ loncom/interface/lonmsg.pm	2006/01/03 03:18:58	1.166
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # Routines for messaging
 #
-# $Id: lonmsg.pm,v 1.165 2005/12/21 22:58:07 raeburn Exp $
+# $Id: lonmsg.pm,v 1.166 2006/01/03 03:18:58 raeburn Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -860,7 +860,10 @@ sub sortedmessages {
 	my $msgid=&Apache::lonnet::escape($_);
 	my ($sendtime,$shortsubj,$fromname,$fromdomain,$status,$fromcid)=
 	    &Apache::lonmsg::unpackmsgid($msgid,$folder);
-        my $description = &get_course_desc($fromcid);
+        my $description;
+        if ($fromcid) {
+            $description = &get_course_desc($fromcid);
+        }
 	my @temp1 = ($sendtime,$shortsubj,$fromname,$fromdomain,$status,
 		     $msgid,$description);
         # Check whether message was sent during blocking period.
@@ -915,7 +918,8 @@ sub sortedmessages {
 
 sub get_course_desc {
     my ($fromcid) = @_;
-    my $description; 
+    my $description;
+    if ($fromcid =~ /^\d+$/) { return $description; } 
     if (defined($env{'course.'.$fromcid.'.description'})) {
        $description = $env{'course.'.$fromcid.'.description'};
     } else {
@@ -955,7 +959,10 @@ sub disnew {
         my ($sendtime,$shortsubj,$fromname,$fromdom,$status,$fromcid)=
 	    &Apache::lonmsg::unpackmsgid($_);
         if (defined($sendtime) && $sendtime!~/error/) {
-            my $description = &get_course_desc($fromcid);
+            my $description;
+            if ($fromcid) {
+                $description = &get_course_desc($fromcid);
+            }
             my $numsendtime = $sendtime;
             $sendtime = &Apache::lonlocal::locallocaltime($sendtime);
             if ($status eq 'new') {