diff --git a/include/staff/ticket-edit.inc.php b/include/staff/ticket-edit.inc.php
index f77e02b8715cf9ce690b56777163b743c39551f7..71d8871e65af1f9ff1b73959b0c0bb043a464c0b 100644
--- a/include/staff/ticket-edit.inc.php
+++ b/include/staff/ticket-edit.inc.php
@@ -94,8 +94,7 @@ if ($_POST)
                     <option value="" selected >&mdash; <?php echo __('Select Help Topic');?> &mdash;</option>
                     <?php
                     if($topics=Topic::getHelpTopics()) {
-                      if(!array_key_exists($ticket->topic_id, $topics))
-                      {
+                      if($ticket->topic_id && !array_key_exists($ticket->topic_id, $topics)) {
                         $topics[$ticket->topic_id] = $ticket->topic;
                         $warn = sprintf(__('%s selected must be active'), __('Help Topic'));
                       }