diff --git a/src/node/handler/PadMessageHandler.js b/src/node/handler/PadMessageHandler.js
index 7ea5039d8..ef8e32b0b 100644
--- a/src/node/handler/PadMessageHandler.js
+++ b/src/node/handler/PadMessageHandler.js
@@ -656,12 +656,17 @@ function handleUserChanges(data, cb)
           , op
         while(iterator.hasNext()) {
           op = iterator.next()
-          if(op.opcode != '+') continue;
+
+          //+ can add text with attribs
+          //= can change or add attribs
+          //- can have attribs, but they are discarded and don't show up in the attribs - but do show up in the  pool
+
           op.attribs.split('*').forEach(function(attr) {
             if(!attr) return
             attr = wireApool.getAttrib(attr)
             if(!attr) return
-            if('author' == attr[0] && attr[1] != thisSession.author) throw new Error("Trying to submit changes as another author in changeset "+changeset);
+            //the empty author is used in the clearAuthorship functionality so this should be the only exception
+            if('author' == attr[0] && (attr[1] != thisSession.author && attr[1] != '')) throw new Error("Trying to submit changes as another author in changeset "+changeset);
           })
         }
 
diff --git a/tests/frontend/specs/clear_authorship_colors.js b/tests/frontend/specs/clear_authorship_colors.js
index 5db35612a..1417f63c6 100644
--- a/tests/frontend/specs/clear_authorship_colors.js
+++ b/tests/frontend/specs/clear_authorship_colors.js
@@ -47,6 +47,11 @@ describe("clear authorship colors button", function(){
       var hasAuthorClass = inner$("div").first().attr("class").indexOf("author") !== -1;
       expect(hasAuthorClass).to.be(false);
 
+      setTimeout(function(){
+        var disconnectVisible = chrome$("div.disconnected").attr("class").indexOf("visible") === -1
+        expect(disconnectVisible).to.be(true);
+      },1000);
+
       done();
     });