diff --git a/lib/middleware.js b/lib/middleware.js
index fb04ccc1..c039a270 100644
--- a/lib/middleware.js
+++ b/lib/middleware.js
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ module.exports = function(srf, logger) {
       }
       else {
         const uri = parseUri(req.uri);
-        const arr = /context-(.*)/.exec(uri.user);
+        const arr = /context-(.*)/.exec(uri?.user);
         if (arr) {
           // this is a transfer from another feature server
           const {retrieveKey, deleteKey} = srf.locals.dbHelpers;