--- loncom/interface/lonprintout.pm	2018/12/29 23:24:40	1.666
+++ loncom/interface/lonprintout.pm	2018/12/30 19:53:34	1.667
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network
 # Printout
 #
-# $Id: lonprintout.pm,v 1.666 2018/12/29 23:24:40 raeburn Exp $
+# $Id: lonprintout.pm,v 1.667 2018/12/30 19:53:34 raeburn Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -4081,10 +4081,11 @@ sub printHelper {
     }
     if ($env{'form.url'}) {
         $helper->{VARS}->{'symb'} = &Apache::lonnet::symbread($helper->{VARS}->{'postdata'});
-
     }
-    $helper->{VARS}->{'symb'}=
-	&Apache::lonenc::check_encrypt($helper->{VARS}->{'symb'});
+    if ($helper->{VARS}->{'symb'} ne '') {
+        $helper->{VARS}->{'symb'}=
+	    &Apache::lonenc::check_encrypt($helper->{VARS}->{'symb'});
+    }
     my ($resourceTitle,$sequenceTitle,$mapTitle) = &details_for_menu($helper);
     if ($sequenceTitle ne '') {$helper->{VARS}->{'assignment'}=$sequenceTitle;}