Index: modules/book/book.module
===================================================================
RCS file: /cvs/drupal/drupal/modules/book/book.module,v
retrieving revision 1.417
diff -u -F^f -r1.417 book.module
--- modules/book/book.module	13 Apr 2007 08:56:57 -0000	1.417
+++ modules/book/book.module	13 Apr 2007 18:24:59 -0000
@@ -52,7 +52,8 @@ function book_access($op, $node) {
   if ($op == 'create') {
     // Only registered users can create book pages. Given the nature
     // of the book module this is considered to be a good/safe idea.
-    return user_access('create book pages');
+    $count = db_result(db_query("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM {book}"));
+    return user_access('create book pages') && (user_access('create new books') || $count > 0);
   }
 
   if ($op == 'update') {