diff --git a/modules/forum/forum.module b/modules/forum/forum.module
index b5e4226..93a2ecc 100644
--- a/modules/forum/forum.module
+++ b/modules/forum/forum.module
@@ -1111,7 +1111,7 @@ function template_preprocess_forum_topic_list(&$variables) {
 
       $variables['topics'][$id]->new_text = '';
       $variables['topics'][$id]->new_url = '';
-      if ($topic->new_replies) {
+      if (isset($topic->new_replies)) {
         $variables['topics'][$id]->new_text = format_plural($topic->new_replies, '1 new', '@count new');
         $variables['topics'][$id]->new_url = url("node/$topic->nid", array('query' => comment_new_page_count($topic->comment_count, $topic->new_replies, $topic), 'fragment' => 'new'));
       }