diff --git a/gracedb/translator.py b/gracedb/translator.py
index 6c1168a78d5e176695d44dec251b3cb794d7647c..1e649b0ddc87b15aeded466543b6784cc29b1e98 100644
--- a/gracedb/translator.py
+++ b/gracedb/translator.py
@@ -177,7 +177,8 @@ def handle_uploaded_data(event, datafilename,
                             glue.ligolw.lsctables.CoincInspiralTable.tableName)
         coinc_table = coinc_table[0]
         event.gpstime = coinc_table[0].end_time
-        event.far = coinc_table[0].combined_far
+        # Per Patrick 02FEB12.  All MBTA events with null far should have zero far.
+        event.far = coinc_table[0].combined_far or 0
 
         coinc_table = glue.ligolw.table.getTablesByName(
                             xmldoc,