diff --git a/core/includes/form.inc b/core/includes/form.inc
index e3f438c..a64d3fc 100644
--- a/core/includes/form.inc
+++ b/core/includes/form.inc
@@ -3803,7 +3803,8 @@ function theme_vertical_tabs($variables) {
   $visible_tab = FALSE;
   $output = '';
   foreach (element_children($element['group']) as $tab_index) {
-    if (!empty($element['group'][$tab_index]['#access'])) {
+    if (!isset($element['group'][$tab_index]['#access']) ||
+        !empty($element['group'][$tab_index]['#access'])) {
       $visible_tab = TRUE;
       break;
     }