diff --git a/src/www/system_advanced_admin.php b/src/www/system_advanced_admin.php
index fb19b5808..a50af5058 100644
--- a/src/www/system_advanced_admin.php
+++ b/src/www/system_advanced_admin.php
@@ -57,10 +57,10 @@ $pconfig['passwordauth'] = isset($config['system']['ssh']['passwordauth']);
 $pconfig['sshdpermitrootlogin'] = isset($config['system']['ssh']['permitrootlogin']);
 $pconfig['quietlogin'] = isset($config['system']['webgui']['quietlogin']);
 
-$a_cert =& $config['cert'];
+$a_cert = isset($config['cert']) ? $config['cert'] : array();
 
 $certs_available = false;
-if (is_array($a_cert) && count($a_cert)) {
+if (count($a_cert)) {
     $certs_available = true;
 }