diff --git a/src/server/membership.c b/src/server/membership.c
index 8a682111fcdfeb163add046e0c939686f811eb03..4a06da4018dc6c7796eb539abc05260ac92ad018 100644
--- a/src/server/membership.c
+++ b/src/server/membership.c
@@ -612,7 +612,10 @@ Access
 fast_access_perm(Conf_no victim)
 {
     Conf_type conf_type;
-    
+
+    if ( !cached_conf_exists(victim) )
+	return error;
+
     if ( ACTPERS != 0 && (ENA(admin, 2) || ENA(wheel,8) || ACTPERS == victim) )
     	return unlimited;