diff --git a/gramps/gen/utils/place.py b/gramps/gen/utils/place.py
index 7283f9711..910232df8 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/utils/place.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/utils/place.py
@@ -283,13 +283,6 @@ def __convert_float_val(val, typedeg="lat"):
     # it is checked that degree >0, 0<= minutes <= 60,
     # 0<= seconds <= 60, direction is in the directions dic.
 
-    #change , to . so that , input works in non , localization
-    #this is no problem, as a number like 100,000.20 cannot appear in
-    #lat/lon
-    #change XX,YY into XX.YY
-    if val.find(r'.') == -1:
-        val = val.replace(',', '.')
-
     # format: XX.YYYY
     v = __convert_using_float_repr(val)
     if v is not None:
diff --git a/gramps/gen/utils/test/place_test.py b/gramps/gen/utils/test/place_test.py
index f59043afc..e7cdec5d5 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/utils/test/place_test.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/utils/test/place_test.py
@@ -183,10 +183,10 @@ class PlaceTest(unittest.TestCase):
 
     def test_decimal_localization(self):
         lat, lon = '50.849888888888', '2,885897222222'
-        self._test_formats_success(lat, lon)
+        self._test_formats_fail(lat, lon)
 
         lat, lon =  '89°59\'59.9999"S', '179°59\'59,9999"W'
-        self._test_formats_success(lat, lon)
+        self._test_formats_fail(lat, lon)
 
         lat, lon =  '89°59\'1.599,999"S', '179°59\'59,9999"W'
         self._test_formats_fail(lat, lon)
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/view/geoplaces.py b/gramps/plugins/view/geoplaces.py
index 9a4cb6423..41a6f7dc2 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/view/geoplaces.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/view/geoplaces.py
@@ -378,8 +378,10 @@ class GeoPlaces(GeoGraphyView):
                 latitude, longitude = conv_lat_lon(place.get_latitude(),
                                                    place.get_longitude(),
                                                    "D.D8")
-                self.osm.set_center_and_zoom(float(latitude), float(longitude),
-                                             int(config.get(
+                if latitude and longitude:
+                    self.osm.set_center_and_zoom(float(latitude),
+                                                 float(longitude),
+                                                 int(config.get(
                                                  "geography.zoom_when_center")))
         else:
             self.message_layer.add_message(