diff --git a/src/riak_moss_utils.erl b/src/riak_moss_utils.erl
index 77d616284..386a02e7c 100644
--- a/src/riak_moss_utils.erl
+++ b/src/riak_moss_utils.erl
@@ -271,6 +271,8 @@ get_object(BucketName, Key, RiakPid) ->
 
 %% @doc Retrieve a MOSS user's information based on their id string.
 -spec get_user(string(), pid()) -> {ok, {term(), term()}} | {error, term()}.
+get_user(undefined, RiakPid) -> 
+    {error, no_user_key};
 get_user(KeyId, RiakPid) ->
     %% @TODO Check for an resolve siblings to get a
     %% coherent view of the bucket ownership.