diff --git a/controllers/accounts_controller.py b/controllers/accounts_controller.py
index 56ddfd12b2..f73d16a167 100644
--- a/controllers/accounts_controller.py
+++ b/controllers/accounts_controller.py
@@ -389,10 +389,11 @@ class AccountsController(TransactionBase):
 					where %s=%s and docstatus=1""" % (based_on, self.tname, item_ref_dn, '%s'), 
 					item.fields[item_ref_dn])[0][0]
 
-				max_allowed_amt = webnotes.conn.get_value(ref_dt + " Item", 
-					item.fields[item_ref_dn], based_on)
+				max_allowed_amt = flt(webnotes.conn.get_value(ref_dt + " Item", 
+					item.fields[item_ref_dn], based_on))
 				
-				if flt(already_billed) + flt(item.fields[based_on]) > max_allowed_amt:
+				if max_allowed_amt and \
+						flt(already_billed) + flt(item.fields[based_on]) > max_allowed_amt:
 					webnotes.msgprint(_("Row ")+ cstr(item.idx) + ": " + cstr(item.item_code) + 
 						_(" will be over-billed against mentioned ") + cstr(ref_dt) +  
 						_(". Max allowed " + cstr(based_on) + ": " + cstr(max_allowed_amt)),