--- private_upload.module	2010-02-17 10:34:36.610450366 -0500
+++ private_upload.module.patched	2010-02-17 10:33:09.264303287 -0500
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ function private_upload_nodeapi(&$node, 
                 drupal_set_message( "Could not move the file ($file->filepath) to the private directory ($private_path).", 'error' );
 		          }	                         
             }
-            else if (!$file->private && $file_is_private) { 
+            else if ((!is_null($file->private) && $file->private == 0) && $file_is_private) { 
               // private flag is false, but file IS g in private repo
               // so try and move it from private repo to public area
               if (file_move($filepath, $public, FILE_EXISTS_REPLACE)) {