diff --git a/badges/classes/backpack_api.php b/badges/classes/backpack_api.php
index e96dd028c50..0916dea4752 100644
--- a/badges/classes/backpack_api.php
+++ b/badges/classes/backpack_api.php
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ class backpack_api {
         $this->backpackapiurl = $sitebackpack->backpackapiurl;
         $this->backpackapiversion = $sitebackpack->apiversion;
         $this->password = $sitebackpack->password;
-        $this->email = !empty($CFG->badges_defaultissuercontact) ? $CFG->badges_defaultissuercontact : $admin->email;
+        $this->email = !empty($CFG->badges_defaultissuercontact) ? $CFG->badges_defaultissuercontact : '';
         $this->isuserbackpack = false;
         $this->backpackid = $sitebackpack->id;
         if (!empty($userbackpack)) {
diff --git a/lib/badgeslib.php b/lib/badgeslib.php
index b8f856d03b0..986e503f80e 100644
--- a/lib/badgeslib.php
+++ b/lib/badgeslib.php
@@ -1195,7 +1195,7 @@ function badges_verify_site_backpack() {
 
         // Now attempt a login with these credentials.
         $result = $backpackapi->authenticate();
-        if ($result === false || !empty($result->error)) {
+        if (empty($result) || !empty($result->error)) {
             $warning = $backpackapi->get_authentication_error();
 
             $params = ['id' => $backpack->id, 'action' => 'edit'];