diff --git a/module_citeq.lua b/module_citeq.lua
index 6bfb259..b731e1f 100644
--- a/module_citeq.lua
+++ b/module_citeq.lua
@@ -901,7 +901,13 @@ local function _cite_q (citeq_args)
 	if names.authors_overridden or (#names.authors == 0 and names.editors_overridden) then
 		-- if names are supplied manually, then don't mess with supplied ref parameter
 	elseif citeq_args.ref and 'none' ~= citeq_args.ref then
-		local citeref = make_citeref(names.authors or names.editors, pubyear)
+		local refnames
+		if #names.authors > 0 then
+			refnames = names.authors
+		else
+			refnames = names.editors
+		end
+		local citeref = make_citeref(refnames, pubyear)
 		if citeq_args.ref == citeref then
 			citeq_args.ref = nil  -- avoid CS1 maint: ref duplicates default
 		else