diff --git a/gramps/plugins/gramplet/events.py b/gramps/plugins/gramplet/events.py
index be0eabe5a..df34183ec 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/gramplet/events.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/gramplet/events.py
@@ -169,11 +169,10 @@ class PersonEvents(Events):
 
     def update_has_data(self):
         active_handle = self.get_active('Person')
+        active = None
         if active_handle:
             active = self.dbstate.db.get_person_from_handle(active_handle)
-            self.set_has_data(self.get_has_data(active))
-        else:
-            self.set_has_data(False)
+        self.set_has_data(self.get_has_data(active))
 
     def get_has_data(self, active_person):
         """
@@ -248,11 +247,10 @@ class FamilyEvents(Events):
 
     def update_has_data(self):
         active_handle = self.get_active('Family')
+        active = None
         if active_handle:
             active = self.dbstate.db.get_family_from_handle(active_handle)
-            self.set_has_data(self.get_has_data(active))
-        else:
-            self.set_has_data(False)
+        self.set_has_data(self.get_has_data(active))
 
     def get_has_data(self, active_family):
         """