diff --git a/plugins/recent_content/lib/recent_content_block.rb b/plugins/recent_content/lib/recent_content_block.rb
index b680d68..ce4e8c8 100644
--- a/plugins/recent_content/lib/recent_content_block.rb
+++ b/plugins/recent_content/lib/recent_content_block.rb
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class RecentContentBlock < Block
   end
 
   def parents
-    self.holder.articles.where(type: 'Blog')
+    self.holder.nil? ? [] : self.holder.articles.where(type: 'Blog')
   end
 
   def root
diff --git a/plugins/recent_content/test/unit/recent_content_block_test.rb b/plugins/recent_content/test/unit/recent_content_block_test.rb
index 1b451a6..c0e3324 100644
--- a/plugins/recent_content/test/unit/recent_content_block_test.rb
+++ b/plugins/recent_content/test/unit/recent_content_block_test.rb
@@ -156,4 +156,15 @@ class RecentContentBlockViewTest < ActionView::TestCase
     assert_equal [article.id], block.api_content['articles'].map {|a| a[:id]}
   end
 
+  should 'parents return an empty array for environment without portal community' do
+    environment = fast_create(Environment)
+    block = RecentContentBlock.new
+    box = mock()
+    block.stubs(:box).returns(box)
+    box.stubs(:owner).returns(environment)
+
+    assert_nil environment.portal_community
+    assert_equal [], block.parents
+  end
+
 end
--
libgit2 0.21.2