diff --git a/source/de/anomic/data/userDB.java b/source/de/anomic/data/userDB.java
index f41649bed..a62d7611a 100644
--- a/source/de/anomic/data/userDB.java
+++ b/source/de/anomic/data/userDB.java
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ public final class userDB {
         }        
         
 		public boolean canSurf(){
-			if( this.getTimeLimit().longValue() <= 0 || (this.updateLastAccess(true) < this.getTimeLimit().longValue()) )//no timelimit or timelimit not reached
+			if( this.getTimeLimit() == null || this.getTimeLimit().longValue() <= 0 || (this.updateLastAccess(true) < this.getTimeLimit().longValue()) )//no timelimit or timelimit not reached
 				return true;
 			else
 				return false;