diff --git a/field_group.module b/field_group.module
index 97e6556..6498b25 100644
--- a/field_group.module
+++ b/field_group.module
@@ -816,7 +816,7 @@ function field_group_field_group_is_empty($element, $groups) {
       $empty = field_group_field_group_is_empty($element[$name], $groups);
     }
     // Child is a field, the asked element is not empty.
-    else {
+    elseif (!empty($element[$name])) {
       return FALSE;
     }
 
@@ -1357,7 +1357,7 @@ function field_group_fields_nest(&$element) {
     // Block denied fields (#access) before they are put in groups.
     // Fields (not groups) that don't have children (like field_permissions) are removed
     // in field_group_field_group_build_pre_render_alter.
-    if ((!isset($element[$child_name]['#access']) || $element[$child_name]['#access'])) {
+    if (isset($element[$child_name]) && (!isset($element[$child_name]['#access']) || $element[$child_name]['#access'])) {
       // If this is a group, we have to use a reference to keep the reference
       // list intact (but if it is a field we don't mind).
       $group_references[$parent_name][$child_name] = &$element[$child_name];