--- loncom/interface/lonhtmlcommon.pm	2010/03/11 12:15:19	1.268
+++ loncom/interface/lonhtmlcommon.pm	2010/03/15 05:37:47	1.269
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # a pile of common html routines
 #
-# $Id: lonhtmlcommon.pm,v 1.268 2010/03/11 12:15:19 wenzelju Exp $
+# $Id: lonhtmlcommon.pm,v 1.269 2010/03/15 05:37:47 raeburn Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -1438,8 +1438,9 @@ returns: nothing
         if ($menulink) {
             my $description = 'Menu';
             my $no_mt_descr = 0;
-            if (exists($env{'request.course.id'}) && 
-                $env{'request.course.id'} ne '') {
+            if ((exists($env{'request.course.id'})) && 
+                ($env{'request.course.id'} ne '') && 
+                ($env{'course.'.$env{'request.course.id'}.'.description'} ne '')) {
                 $description = 
                     $env{'course.'.$env{'request.course.id'}.'.description'};
                 $no_mt_descr = 1;