diff --git a/app/lib/functions/permissions.js b/app/lib/functions/permissions.js
index 8f160297..37b4ff73 100644
--- a/app/lib/functions/permissions.js
+++ b/app/lib/functions/permissions.js
@@ -5,12 +5,14 @@ canEditCharacter = function(charId, userId){
 	return (userId === char.owner || _.contains(char.writers, userId));
 };
 
-canViewCharacter = function(charId, userId){
+canViewCharacter = function(char, userId){
 	userId = userId || Meteor.userId();
-	var char = Characters.findOne(
-		charId,
-		{fields: {owner: 1, writers: 1, readers: 1, "settings.viewPermission": 1}}
-	);
+	if (typeof char !== 'object'){
+		char = Characters.findOne(
+			charId,
+			{fields: {owner: 1, writers: 1, readers: 1, "settings.viewPermission": 1}}
+		);
+	}
 	if (!char) return true;
 	return userId === char.owner ||
 		char.settings.viewPermission === "public" ||