diff --git a/functions.php b/functions.php
index bafb8d08e..ef3bfa98e 100644
--- a/functions.php
+++ b/functions.php
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@
 //					if ($md5_hash != $content_md5 && CONTENT_CHECK_MD5) 
 //						$unread = "true";
 
-					if ($md5_hash != $content_md5) {
+					if (!$last_read || $md5_hash != $content_md5) {
 						$last_read = 'null';
 					} else {
 						$last_read = "'$last_read'";