diff --git a/inc/ui/principal-edit.php b/inc/ui/principal-edit.php
index 9ba65d73..9a1e6684 100644
--- a/inc/ui/principal-edit.php
+++ b/inc/ui/principal-edit.php
@@ -409,7 +409,8 @@ function build_privileges_html( $ed, $fname ) {
   $btn_sd = htmlspecialchars(translate('Schedule Deliver')); $btn_sd_title = htmlspecialchars(translate('Privileges to allow delivery of scheduling messages'));
   $btn_ss = htmlspecialchars(translate('Schedule Send'));    $btn_ss_title = htmlspecialchars(translate('Privileges to delegate scheduling decisions'));
 
-  $privs_dec = bindec($ed->Value($fname));
+  $privs     = $ed->Value($fname);
+  $privs_dec = isset($privs) ? bindec($privs) : 0;
   $privileges_set = sprintf('<div id="privileges"><input type="hidden" name="%s[fake_privilege_for_input]" value="0">%s', $fname, "\n");
   for( $i=0; $i < count($privilege_names); $i++ ) {
     $privilege_set = ( (1 << $i) & $privs_dec ? ' CHECKED' : '');