--- loncom/lond	2006/02/10 09:47:36	1.320
+++ loncom/lond	2006/02/21 18:43:37	1.321
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network
 # lond "LON Daemon" Server (port "LOND" 5663)
 #
-# $Id: lond,v 1.320 2006/02/10 09:47:36 albertel Exp $
+# $Id: lond,v 1.321 2006/02/21 18:43:37 albertel Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ my $status='';
 my $lastlog='';
 my $lond_max_wait_time = 13;
 
-my $VERSION='$Revision: 1.320 $'; #' stupid emacs
+my $VERSION='$Revision: 1.321 $'; #' stupid emacs
 my $remoteVERSION;
 my $currenthostid="default";
 my $currentdomainid;
@@ -5503,8 +5503,11 @@ sub is_author {
 
     #  Author role should show up as a key /domain/_au
 
-    my $key   = "/$domain/_au";
-    my $value = $hashref->{$key};
+    my $key    = "/$domain/_au";
+    my $value;
+    if (defined($hashref)) {
+	$value = $hashref->{$key};
+    }
 
     if(defined($value)) {
 	&Debug("$user @ $domain is an author");