diff --git a/r2/r2/controllers/promotecontroller.py b/r2/r2/controllers/promotecontroller.py
index 7cbac6a8b..eb08882a5 100644
--- a/r2/r2/controllers/promotecontroller.py
+++ b/r2/r2/controllers/promotecontroller.py
@@ -401,17 +401,18 @@ class PromoteController(ListingController):
         else:
             min_daily_bid = g.min_promote_bid
 
-        # you cannot edit the bid of a live ad unless it's a freebie
-        try:
-            campaign = PromoCampaign._byID(campaign_id36)
-            if (bid != campaign.bid and 
-                campaign.start_date < datetime.now(g.tz)
-                and not campaign.is_freebie()):
-                c.errors.add(errors.BID_LIVE, field='bid')
-                form.has_errors('bid', errors.BID_LIVE)
-                return
-        except NotFound:
-            pass
+        if campaign_id36:
+            # you cannot edit the bid of a live ad unless it's a freebie
+            try:
+                campaign = PromoCampaign._byID36(campaign_id36)
+                if (bid != campaign.bid and 
+                    campaign.start_date < datetime.now(g.tz)
+                    and not campaign.is_freebie()):
+                    c.errors.add(errors.BID_LIVE, field='bid')
+                    form.has_errors('bid', errors.BID_LIVE)
+                    return
+            except NotFound:
+                pass
 
         if bid is None or bid / duration < min_daily_bid:
             c.errors.add(errors.BAD_BID, field = 'bid',