diff --git a/backup/lib.php b/backup/lib.php
index f7ee0657df4fd..2972570803663 100644
--- a/backup/lib.php
+++ b/backup/lib.php
@@ -497,7 +497,7 @@ function backup_file2data ($file,&$data) {
     function import_backup_file_silently($pathtofile,$destinationcourse,$emptyfirst=false,$userdata=false, $preferences=array()) {
         global $CFG,$SESSION,$USER, $DB; // is there such a thing on cron? I guess so..
         global $restore; // ick
-        if (empty($USER) || empty($USER->id)) {
+        if (empty($USER)) {
             session_set_user(get_admin());
             $USER->admin = 1; // not sure why, but this doesn't get set
         }