diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/security/authentication/AuthenticationServiceImpl.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/security/authentication/AuthenticationServiceImpl.java
index 9e4b8e30a5..a5eef12131 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/security/authentication/AuthenticationServiceImpl.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/security/authentication/AuthenticationServiceImpl.java
@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@ public class AuthenticationServiceImpl extends AbstractAuthenticationService imp
      */
     public boolean getAuthenticationEnabled(String userName) throws AuthenticationException
     {
-        if (personService.personExists(userName))
+        if (personService != null && personService.personExists(userName))
         {
             return personService.isEnabled(userName);
         }