diff --git a/src/ldap.js b/src/ldap.js
index 04a608b1f..b0ff56a86 100644
--- a/src/ldap.js
+++ b/src/ldap.js
@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ function loadSftpConfig(req, res, next) {
         if (error) return next(new ldap.OperationsError(error.toString()));
 
         const serviceConfig = servicesConfig['sftp'];
-        req.requireAdmin = 'requireAdmin' in serviceConfig ? serviceConfig.requireAdmin : true;
+        req.requireAdmin = serviceConfig && 'requireAdmin' in serviceConfig ? serviceConfig.requireAdmin : true;
 
         next();
     });