diff --git a/module/VuFind/src/VuFind/Recommend/AuthorityRecommend.php b/module/VuFind/src/VuFind/Recommend/AuthorityRecommend.php
index 526ca2bacd3d299d05f193b3ff0fd24974f6aec1..9dc4887b472650a6efd4b8fce60d1d8f303ebd08 100644
--- a/module/VuFind/src/VuFind/Recommend/AuthorityRecommend.php
+++ b/module/VuFind/src/VuFind/Recommend/AuthorityRecommend.php
@@ -281,6 +281,11 @@ class AuthorityRecommend implements RecommendInterface
     {
         $this->results = $results;
 
+        // empty searches such as New Items will return blank
+        if ($this->lookfor == NULL) {
+            return;
+        }
+
         // function will return blank on Advanced Search
         if ($results->getParams()->getSearchType() == 'advanced') {
             return;