diff --git a/lib/galaxy/webapps/galaxy/api/histories.py b/lib/galaxy/webapps/galaxy/api/histories.py
index 6b57e569686..393d9d26970 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/webapps/galaxy/api/histories.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/webapps/galaxy/api/histories.py
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ class HistoriesController(BaseGalaxyAPIController, ExportsHistoryMixin, ImportsH
         :rtype:     dict
         :returns:   element view of new history
         """
-        if trans.user.bootstrap_admin_user:
+        if trans.user and trans.user.bootstrap_admin_user:
             raise exceptions.RealUserRequiredException("Only real users can create histories.")
         hist_name = None
         if payload.get('name', None):