# Undefined method \`\[\]' for nil:NilClass

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/undefined-method-for-nil-nilclass/82380>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [January 19, 2007, 4:29pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/undefined-method-for-nil-nilclass/82380 "2007-01-19T16:29:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![craigrails](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@craigrails](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/craigrails)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2007, 4:29pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/undefined-method-for-nil-nilclass/82380/1 "2007-01-19T16:29:57Z")

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I have an interesting situation and I am wondering if I can trap just  
this specific error…

undefined method `[]’ for nil:NilClass

which comes the user is trying to access a controller method which  
assumes session variables that no longer exist because the session has  
timed out.

I would rather bounce them to a static web page than toss the  
application error in this case. Is this possible?

–  
Craig W. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![craigrails](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@craigrails](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/craigrails)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 10:30pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/undefined-method-for-nil-nilclass/82380/2 "2007-09-25T22:30:13Z")

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> application error in this case. Is this possible?  
> Yes…

begin  
#access the session that errors out  
rescue  
redirect\_to ‘/somewheresafe’  
end

Or test it using nil? before calling [] on it…