diff --git a/pandora/item/models.py b/pandora/item/models.py
index e32d188..fd7d243 100644
--- a/pandora/item/models.py
+++ b/pandora/item/models.py
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ class Item(models.Model):
             ll = layers.setdefault(l.name, [])
             qs = Annotation.objects.filter(layer=l, item=self)
             if l.private:
-                if user.is_anonymous():
+                if user and user.is_anonymous():
                     user = None
                 qs = qs.filter(user=user)
             for a in qs.order_by('start'):
diff --git a/pandora/item/tasks.py b/pandora/item/tasks.py
index 5511b56..bb77b03 100644
--- a/pandora/item/tasks.py
+++ b/pandora/item/tasks.py
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ def load_subtitles(itemId):
     languages = [f.language for f in item.files.filter(is_main=True, is_subtitle=True,
                                                        available=True)]
     if languages:
-        if 'en' in languages:
+        if 'en' in languages or '' in languages:
             language = 'en'
         else:
             language = languages[0]