diff --git a/plugins/QnA/class.qna.plugin.php b/plugins/QnA/class.qna.plugin.php
index a1cc42282..8d756b246 100644
--- a/plugins/QnA/class.qna.plugin.php
+++ b/plugins/QnA/class.qna.plugin.php
@@ -1317,7 +1317,7 @@ public function discussionsApiController_normalizeOutput(
         }
 
         $discussion['attributes']['question'] = [
-            'status' => strtolower($discussion['qnA']),
+            'status' => !empty($discussion['qnA']) ? strtolower($discussion['qnA']) : 'unanswered',
             'dateAccepted' => $discussion['dateAccepted'],
             'dateAnswered' => $discussion['dateOfAnswer'],
             "acceptedAnswers" => $acceptedAnswers,