diff --git a/app/views/admin/patents/_form.html.erb b/app/views/admin/patents/_form.html.erb
index 66f12d5..3a3c576 100644
--- a/app/views/admin/patents/_form.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/admin/patents/_form.html.erb
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
         <label class="control-label muted"><%= t("personal_plugins.author") %></label>
         <div class="controls">
           <%= @member.name rescue ''%>
-          <%= f.hidden_field :member_profile_id, :value => @member.id %>
+          <%= f.hidden_field :member_profile_id, :value => @member.id if !@member.nil?  %>
         </div>
       </div>