diff --git a/stats/effects/fu_statusUtil.lua b/stats/effects/fu_statusUtil.lua
index 6e029ab6a6..2c1697a4ac 100644
--- a/stats/effects/fu_statusUtil.lua
+++ b/stats/effects/fu_statusUtil.lua
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ end
 
 function statusUtilHandle(fill)
 	if not fuStatusUtil.vars.handle then
-		fuStatusUtil.vars.handle=config.getParameter("statusUtilHandle") or fill or "generic"..(math.floor(math.random(0,1000000)*1000000))
+		fuStatusUtil.vars.handle=(config and config.getParameter("statusUtilHandle")) or fill or "generic"..(math.floor(math.random(0,1000000)*1000000))
 	end
 	return fuStatusUtil.vars.handle
 end