diff --git a/tailbone/views/core.py b/tailbone/views/core.py
index 67d270dd..e30d31f2 100644
--- a/tailbone/views/core.py
+++ b/tailbone/views/core.py
@@ -45,9 +45,12 @@ class View(object):
 
     def __init__(self, request):
         self.request = request
-        if request.user and not request.user.active:
+
+        # if user becomes inactive while logged in, log them out
+        if getattr(request, 'user', None) and not request.user.active:
             headers = logout_user(request)
             raise self.redirect(request.route_url('home'))
+
         config = self.rattail_config
         if config:
             self.enum = config.get_enum()