diff --git a/src/Model/Profile.php b/src/Model/Profile.php
index 765fed791a..4bb886814d 100644
--- a/src/Model/Profile.php
+++ b/src/Model/Profile.php
@@ -369,7 +369,9 @@ class Profile
 
 		if (!$local_user_is_self && $show_connect) {
 			if (!$visitor_is_authenticated) {
-				$follow_link = 'dfrn_request/' . $profile['nickname'];
+				if (!empty($profile['nickname'])) {
+					$follow_link = 'dfrn_request/' . $profile['nickname'];
+				}
 			} elseif ($profile_is_native) {
 				if ($visitor_is_following) {
 					$unfollow_link = $visitor_base_path . '/unfollow?url=' . urlencode($profile_url);