diff --git a/src/main/java/com/threerings/presents/server/PresentsSession.java b/src/main/java/com/threerings/presents/server/PresentsSession.java
index 5ae64f832..6b42d82ab 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/threerings/presents/server/PresentsSession.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/threerings/presents/server/PresentsSession.java
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ public class PresentsSession
      */
     public byte[] getSecret ()
     {
-        return _areq.getSecret();
+        return (_areq == null) ? null : _areq.getSecret();
     }
 
     /**