diff --git a/user/editadvanced_form.php b/user/editadvanced_form.php
index ea95370ae08..c9a564a39ba 100644
--- a/user/editadvanced_form.php
+++ b/user/editadvanced_form.php
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ class user_editadvanced_form extends moodleform {
             }
         }
 
-        if (!$user or $user->email !== $usernew->email) {
+        if (!$user or (isset($usernew->email) && $user->email !== $usernew->email)) {
             if (!validate_email($usernew->email)) {
                 $err['email'] = get_string('invalidemail');
             } else if ($DB->record_exists('user', array('email' => $usernew->email, 'mnethostid' => $CFG->mnet_localhost_id))) {