diff --git a/pandora/item/models.py b/pandora/item/models.py
index 74ee69d89..ea6fa2ecd 100644
--- a/pandora/item/models.py
+++ b/pandora/item/models.py
@@ -577,7 +577,8 @@ class Item(models.Model):
                     save(i,
                         '\n'.join([f.path for f in self.files.all()]))
                 elif i == 'user':
-                    save(i, self.user.username)
+                    if self.user:
+                        save(i, self.user.username)
                 elif key['id'] == 'annotations':
                     qs = Annotation.objects.filter(item=self)
                     qs = qs.filter(layer__in=Annotation.public_layers())