diff --git a/python/educational-core/src/com/jetbrains/edu/learning/stepic/EduStepicConnector.java b/python/educational-core/src/com/jetbrains/edu/learning/stepic/EduStepicConnector.java
index 5ae616d81654..5e7726077452 100644
--- a/python/educational-core/src/com/jetbrains/edu/learning/stepic/EduStepicConnector.java
+++ b/python/educational-core/src/com/jetbrains/edu/learning/stepic/EduStepicConnector.java
@@ -217,6 +217,8 @@ public class EduStepicConnector {
   }
 
   public static RemoteCourse getCourse(@NotNull final Project project, @NotNull final RemoteCourse remoteCourse) {
+    final List<Lesson> lessons = remoteCourse.getLessons(true);
+    if (!lessons.isEmpty()) return remoteCourse;
     if (!remoteCourse.isAdaptive()) {
       try {
         for (Integer section : remoteCourse.getSections()) {