diff --git a/website/src/controllers/pushNotifications.js b/website/src/controllers/pushNotifications.js
index 98ec0b5d82..d0d98b5218 100644
--- a/website/src/controllers/pushNotifications.js
+++ b/website/src/controllers/pushNotifications.js
@@ -27,6 +27,11 @@ if(gcm){
 api.sendNotify = function(user, title, msg, timeToLive){
   timeToLive = timeToLive || 15;
 
+  // need investigation:
+  // https://github.com/HabitRPG/habitrpg/issues/5252
+  if(!user)
+    return;
+
   _.forEach(user.pushDevices, function(pushDevice){
     switch(pushDevice.type){
       case "android":