diff --git a/classes/User.php b/classes/User.php
index 99aac626f8..ab550b8e1a 100644
--- a/classes/User.php
+++ b/classes/User.php
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ class User extends DB_DataObject
 		# XXX: should already be validated for size, content, etc.
 		static $blacklist = array('rss', 'xrds', 'doc', 'main',
 								  'settings', 'notice', 'user',
-								  'search');
+								  'search', 'avatar');
 		$merged = array_merge($blacklist, common_config('nickname', 'blacklist'));
 		return !in_array($nickname, $merged);
 	}