diff --git a/libraries/joomla/factory.php b/libraries/joomla/factory.php
index 98ed7eec8feb4..20a4e47401417 100644
--- a/libraries/joomla/factory.php
+++ b/libraries/joomla/factory.php
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ public static function getUser($id = null)
 				$instance = JUser::getInstance();
 			}
 		}
-		elseif ($instance->id != $id)
+		elseif (!($instance instanceof JUser) || $instance->id != $id)
 		{
 			$instance = JUser::getInstance($id);
 		}