--- loncom/interface/lonparmset.pm	2006/12/14 20:34:33	1.354
+++ loncom/interface/lonparmset.pm	2006/12/14 20:49:22	1.355
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # Handler to set parameters for assessments
 #
-# $Id: lonparmset.pm,v 1.354 2006/12/14 20:34:33 albertel Exp $
+# $Id: lonparmset.pm,v 1.355 2006/12/14 20:49:22 albertel Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -3861,6 +3861,12 @@ sub parm_change_log {
     $r->print(&Apache::loncommon::end_page());
 }
 
+sub check_for_course_info {
+    my $navmap = Apache::lonnavmaps::navmap->new();
+    return 1 if ($navmap);
+    return 0;
+}
+
 ##################################################
 ##################################################
 
@@ -3904,7 +3910,9 @@ sub handler {
 	(&Apache::lonnet::allowed('opa',$env{'request.course.id'}) ||
 	 &Apache::lonnet::allowed('opa',$env{'request.course.id'}.'/'.
 				  $env{'request.course.sec'}));
-    if ($env{'request.course.id'} &&  $parm_permission) {
+    my $exists = &check_for_course_info();
+
+    if ($env{'request.course.id'} &&  $parm_permission && $exists) {
 
         # Start Page
         &Apache::loncommon::content_type($r,'text/html');
@@ -3974,8 +3982,13 @@ sub handler {
 	}       
     } else {
 # ----------------------------- Not in a course, or not allowed to modify parms
-	$env{'user.error.msg'}=
-	    "/adm/parmset:opa:0:0:Cannot modify assessment parameters";
+	if ($exists) {
+	    $env{'user.error.msg'}=
+		"/adm/parmset:opa:0:0:Cannot modify assessment parameters";
+	} else {
+	    $env{'user.error.msg'}=
+		"/adm/parmset::0:1:Course environment gone, reinitialize the course";
+	}
 	return HTTP_NOT_ACCEPTABLE;
     }
     return OK;