diff --git a/src/postTools.js b/src/postTools.js
index e31fa70552..7fcd9fe464 100644
--- a/src/postTools.js
+++ b/src/postTools.js
@@ -48,10 +48,14 @@ var db = require('./database'),
 		}
 
 		function hasEnoughRep(next) {
-			user.getUserField(uid, 'reputation', function(err, reputation) {
-				if (err) return next(null, false);
-				next(null, parseInt(reputation, 10) >= parseInt(meta.config['privileges:manage_content'], 10));
-			});
+			if (meta.config['privileges:disabled']) {
+				return next(null, false);
+			} else {
+				user.getUserField(uid, 'reputation', function(err, reputation) {
+					if (err) return next(null, false);
+					next(null, parseInt(reputation, 10) >= parseInt(meta.config['privileges:manage_content'], 10));
+				});
+			}
 		}
 
 		async.parallel([getThreadPrivileges, isOwnPost, hasEnoughRep], function(err, results) {
diff --git a/src/threadTools.js b/src/threadTools.js
index ed32f795be..5566b8fc9a 100644
--- a/src/threadTools.js
+++ b/src/threadTools.js
@@ -33,10 +33,14 @@ var db = require('./database'),
 				});
 			},
 			hasEnoughRep: function(next) {
-				user.getUserField(uid, 'reputation', function(err, reputation) {
-					if (err) return next(null, false);
-					next(null, parseInt(reputation, 10) >= parseInt(meta.config['privileges:manage_topic'], 10));
-				});
+				if (meta.config['privileges:disabled']) {
+					return next(null, false);
+				} else {
+					user.getUserField(uid, 'reputation', function(err, reputation) {
+						if (err) return next(null, false);
+						next(null, parseInt(reputation, 10) >= parseInt(meta.config['privileges:manage_topic'], 10));
+					});
+				}
 			}
 		}, function(err, results) {
 			callback(err, !results ? undefined : {