diff --git a/app/__init__.py b/app/__init__.py
index 60adf42..408983b 100644
--- a/app/__init__.py
+++ b/app/__init__.py
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ def create_app() -> FastAPI:
         from artdag_common.fragments import fetch_fragments as _fetch_frags
 
         user = get_user_from_cookie(request)
-        auth_params = {"email": user.email} if user else {}
+        auth_params = {"email": user.email} if user and user.email else {}
         nav_params = {"app_name": "artdag", "path": path}
 
         try: