diff --git a/course/import.php b/course/import.php
index d6d0e21b5ce..59970c5c0dc 100644
--- a/course/import.php
+++ b/course/import.php
@@ -54,6 +54,8 @@ optional_variable($filename,0);
     $taught_courses = get_my_courses($USER->id,"visible DESC,sortorder ASC",0,1);
     if (!empty($creator)) {
         $cat_courses = get_courses($course->category);
+    } else {
+        $cat_courses = array();
     }
     print_heading(get_string("importdatafrom"));