diff --git a/app/helpers/application_helper.rb b/app/helpers/application_helper.rb
index 74483f2d2..5241e61ab 100644
--- a/app/helpers/application_helper.rb
+++ b/app/helpers/application_helper.rb
@@ -145,6 +145,8 @@ module ApplicationHelper
   end
 
   def link_to_user(user, options = {})
+    return "anonymous" if user.blank?
+
     user_class = user.level_class
     user_class = user_class + " user-post-approver" if user.can_approve_posts?
     user_class = user_class + " user-post-uploader" if user.can_upload_free?