diff --git a/webapp_timeline.py b/webapp_timeline.py
index 3097b5ea8..214911fb8 100644
--- a/webapp_timeline.py
+++ b/webapp_timeline.py
@@ -737,6 +737,11 @@ def htmlTimeline(cssCache: {}, defaultTimeline: str,
 
     # show the posts
     itemCtr = 0
+    if timelineJson:
+        if not timelineJson.get('orderedItems'):
+            print('ERROR: no orderedItems in timeline for ' + boxName:)
+            return ''
+
     if timelineJson:
         # if this is the media timeline then add an extra gallery container
         if boxName == 'tlmedia':