diff --git a/code/portal_detail_display.js b/code/portal_detail_display.js
index 98b33592..703af772 100644
--- a/code/portal_detail_display.js
+++ b/code/portal_detail_display.js
@@ -4,13 +4,14 @@
 // methods that highlight the portal in the map view.
 
 window.renderPortalDetails = function(guid) {
-  var d = window.portals[guid].options.details;
-  if(!d) {
+  if(!window.portals[guid]) {
     unselectOldPortal();
     urlPortal = guid;
     return;
   }
 
+  var d = window.portals[guid].options.details;
+
   var update = selectPortal(guid);
 
   // collect some random data that’s not worth to put in an own method