diff --git a/lib/blocklib.php b/lib/blocklib.php
index 5678b668745..a873e4ac099 100644
--- a/lib/blocklib.php
+++ b/lib/blocklib.php
@@ -247,12 +247,18 @@ class block_manager implements ArrayAccess {
      * This method actually loads the blocks for our page from the database.
      */
     public function load_blocks($includeinvisible = NULL) {
-        global $DB;
+        global $DB, $CFG;
         if (!is_null($this->birecordsbyregion)) {
             // Already done.
             return;
         }
 
+        if ($CFG->version < 2009050619) {
+            // Upgrade/install not complete. Don't try too show any blocks.
+            $this->birecordsbyregion = array();
+            return;
+        }
+
         if (is_null($includeinvisible)) {
             $includeinvisible = $this->page->user_is_editing();
         }
diff --git a/lib/pagelib.php b/lib/pagelib.php
index 87d80b8a9f1..3c9070d19ef 100644
--- a/lib/pagelib.php
+++ b/lib/pagelib.php
@@ -580,10 +580,7 @@ class moodle_page {
         }
 
         $this->initialise_standard_body_classes();
-
-        if ($CFG->version >= 2009050619) {
-            $this->blocks->load_blocks();
-        }
+        $this->blocks->load_blocks();
     }
 
     /**