diff --git a/phpBB/includes/functions_display.php b/phpBB/includes/functions_display.php
index 4726676e2d..0a3c698551 100644
--- a/phpBB/includes/functions_display.php
+++ b/phpBB/includes/functions_display.php
@@ -738,6 +738,11 @@ function generate_forum_rules(&$forum_data)
 		$forum_data['forum_rules'] = generate_text_for_display($forum_data['forum_rules'], $forum_data['forum_rules_uid'], $forum_data['forum_rules_bitfield'], $forum_data['forum_rules_options']);
 	}
 
+	if (!$forum_data['forum_rules'])
+	{
+		return;
+	}
+
 	$template->assign_vars(array(
 		'S_FORUM_RULES'	=> true,
 		'U_FORUM_RULES'	=> $forum_data['forum_rules_link'],