diff --git a/wp-comments-post.php b/wp-comments-post.php
index f7f20ba1e..9a1ff1f45 100644
--- a/wp-comments-post.php
+++ b/wp-comments-post.php
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ $comment_type = '';
 
 $user_ip    = apply_filters('pre_comment_user_ip', $_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR']);
 
-if ( get_settings('require_name_email') && ('' == $email || '' == $author) )
+if ( get_settings('require_name_email') && ('' == $comment_author_email || '' == $comment_author) )
 	die( __('Error: please fill the required fields (name, email).') );
 
 if ( '' == $comment_content )