diff --git a/sirepo/package_data/static/js/sirepo.js b/sirepo/package_data/static/js/sirepo.js
index 4807260c68..4645c176e1 100644
--- a/sirepo/package_data/static/js/sirepo.js
+++ b/sirepo/package_data/static/js/sirepo.js
@@ -304,11 +304,8 @@ SIREPO.app.factory('authState', function(appDataService, appState, errorService,
     };
 
     self.isPremiumUser = function() {
-        if (! self.paymentPlan) {
-            throw new Error("isPremiumUser: user not logged in");
-        }
         // positive test (vs just testing 'basic')
-        return ['enterprise', 'premium'].indexOf(self.paymentPlan) >= 0;
+        return ['enterprise', 'premium'].indexOf(self.paymentPlan || '') >= 0;
     };
 
     self.paymentPlanName = function() {