diff --git a/anki/sched.py b/anki/sched.py
index 2e80259a2..3755fc7d1 100644
--- a/anki/sched.py
+++ b/anki/sched.py
@@ -327,7 +327,11 @@ limit %d""" % (self._groupLimit(), self.reportLimit), lim=self.dayCutoff)
         self._logLrn(card, ease, conf, leaving, type)
 
     def _delayForGrade(self, conf, grade):
-        return conf['delays'][grade]*60
+        try:
+            delay = conf['delays'][grade]
+        except IndexError:
+            delay = conf['delays'][-1]
+        return delay*60
 
     def _lrnConf(self, card):
         conf = self._cardConf(card)
diff --git a/tests/test_sched.py b/tests/test_sched.py
index 1f300502a..cf826e909 100644
--- a/tests/test_sched.py
+++ b/tests/test_sched.py
@@ -71,6 +71,20 @@ def test_newOrder():
     # cards should be sorted by id
     assert d.sched.newQueue == list(reversed(sorted(d.sched.newQueue)))
 
+def test_newBoxes():
+    d = getEmptyDeck()
+    f = d.newFact()
+    f['Front'] = u"one"
+    d.addFact(f)
+    d.reset()
+    c = d.sched.getCard()
+    d.sched.answerCard(c, 2)
+    d.sched.answerCard(c, 2)
+    assert c.grade == 2
+    d.sched._cardConf(c)['new']['delays'] = [0.5]
+    # should handle gracefully
+    d.sched.answerCard(c, 2)
+
 def test_learn():
     d = getEmptyDeck()
     # add a fact