An admin, Stefan, reported a bug where attempting to change the username of an inactive (unactivated) account triggers a JavaScript error: ‘Uncaught TypeError: Cannot read property ‘name’ of undefined’. The error occurs at a specific URL and line in the vendor script. While codinghorror questioned the practical need for changing inactive usernames, Stefan clarified it was discovered during testing with imported accounts that had spaces in usernames — which failed to import — and was reported for completeness. watchmanmonitor offered a legitimate use case: correcting usernames before account approval to ensure users’ full names are visible on profiles, avoiding later confusion or changes. Later, merc asked whether the bug still exists, noting they successfully changed an inactive account’s username without encountering any errors in logs — suggesting the issue may have been resolved or is environment-dependent. The discussion highlights both a technical bug and its potential real-world relevance in user onboarding and profile clarity.
As an admin, I’ve tried to change the username of an inactive account (i.e. registered but never activated) and I’ve go this in error logs:
Uncaught TypeError: Cannot read property 'name' of undefined
Url: http://vamist.ro/assets/vendor-6324f2f5fe44e5bec2112f4d797c1864.js
Line: 15
Column: 69
Window Location: http://vamist.ro/users/10kerviel/preferences/username
For activated account I don’t have any errors.
OK on the error, but why would you need to change the username of an unactivated account exactly?
Actually I don’t. I was just playing around with some accounts taken from IP.Board and I’ve noticed the fact that the ones with space in username were not imported. So I wanted to see if the interface allows you to have spaces in usernames and that’s how I’ve noticed the issue and reported it. I don’t see myself changing usernames for inactive accounts on a regular basis.
So that I can correct it before I approve them, allowing me to set a username (first initial, then surname) that will allow their full name show on their profile.
We all want to know who each other are in our boards, and they don’t know that (currently) the default username hides their full name as redundant information.
Changing it before approval means they don’t have to deal with a change later.
Does this bug still exist?
I managed to successfully change the username of an inactive account and I didn’t see any errors in the logs.