diff --git a/server/boot/user.js b/server/boot/user.js
index e4c9061d35e..2f115d46641 100644
--- a/server/boot/user.js
+++ b/server/boot/user.js
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ module.exports = function(app) {
         // to show all date related components
         // using signed-in account's timezone
         // not of the profile she is viewing
-        const timezone = req.user.timezone || 'UTC';
+        const timezone = req.user && req.user.timezone ? req.user.timezone : 'UTC';
 
         var cals = profileUser
           .progressTimestamps