diff --git a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/translation/translate.js b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/translation/translate.js
index ed3893690e..565b93c2a5 100644
--- a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/translation/translate.js
+++ b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/translation/translate.js
@@ -1871,7 +1871,8 @@ Zotero.Translate.Base.prototype = {
 		var elem = index
 			? docOrElem.querySelectorAll(selector).item(index)
 			: docOrElem.querySelector(selector);
-		return (elem ? elem.getAttribute(attr) : "").trim();
+		if (!elem) return "";
+		return (elem.hasAttribute(attr) ? elem.getAttribute(attr) : "").trim();
 	},
 	
 	/**