diff --git a/theme/fusion/layout/frontpage.php b/theme/fusion/layout/frontpage.php
index 95fde8174ad..446fe8163e3 100644
--- a/theme/fusion/layout/frontpage.php
+++ b/theme/fusion/layout/frontpage.php
@@ -61,6 +61,8 @@ echo $OUTPUT->doctype() ?>
 			    	</div>
 		    	    <?php if ($hascustommenu) { ?>
 						<div id="custommenu"><?php echo $custommenu; ?></div>
+					<?php } else { ?>
+						<div id="custommenu" style="line-height:1em;">&nbsp;</div> <!-- temporary until I find a better fix -->
 					<?php } ?>
 			    	
 	    		</div>
diff --git a/theme/fusion/layout/general.php b/theme/fusion/layout/general.php
index ca9cf06244c..8626102cdfd 100644
--- a/theme/fusion/layout/general.php
+++ b/theme/fusion/layout/general.php
@@ -65,6 +65,8 @@ echo $OUTPUT->doctype() ?>
 					        	</div>
 		    				    <?php if ($hascustommenu) { ?>
 									<div id="custommenu"><?php echo $custommenu; ?></div>
+								<?php } else { ?>
+									<div id="custommenu" style="line-height:1em;">&nbsp;</div> <!-- temporary until I find a better fix -->
 								<?php } ?>
 				            </div>
 		    		    <?php } ?>