diff --git a/register_judges.inc.php b/register_judges.inc.php
index b4a623b0..5b1dec4b 100644
--- a/register_judges.inc.php
+++ b/register_judges.inc.php
@@ -69,7 +69,12 @@ function expertiseStatus()
 	/* If the judging special awards are active, and the judge has
 	 * selected "I am a special awards judge", then disable this */
 	if($config['judges_specialaward_only_enable'] == 'yes') {
-		return "complete";
+		$q = mysql_query("SELECT typepref FROM judges WHERE
+				id='{$_SESSION['judges_id']}'");
+		if(mysql_num_rows($q) != 1) return "incomplete";
+		$r = mysql_fetch_object($q);
+		if($r->typepref == 'speconly') 
+			return 'complete';
 	}
 
 	//and they need to rank all of the age categories