diff --git a/lib/controller/checks.py b/lib/controller/checks.py
index 128dfe118..a9eedbb07 100644
--- a/lib/controller/checks.py
+++ b/lib/controller/checks.py
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ def checkSqlInjection(place, parameter, value):
 
             # Skip test if the user's wants to test only for a specific
             # technique
-            if isinstance(conf.technique, list) and stype not in conf.technique:
+            if conf.technique and isinstance(conf.technique, list) and stype not in conf.technique:
                 debugMsg = "skipping test '%s' because the user " % title
                 debugMsg += "specified to test only for "
                 debugMsg += "%s" % ",".join(map(lambda x: PAYLOAD.SQLINJECTION[x], conf.technique))
diff --git a/lib/core/common.py b/lib/core/common.py
index 7b0e09931..a6524350b 100644
--- a/lib/core/common.py
+++ b/lib/core/common.py
@@ -2147,7 +2147,7 @@ def isTechniqueAvailable(technique=None):
     technique specified
     """
 
-    if isinstance(conf.technique, list) and technique not in conf.technique:
+    if conf.technique and isinstance(conf.technique, list) and technique not in conf.technique:
         return False
     else:
         return getTechniqueData(technique) is not None