--- Base (BASE)
+++ Locally Modified (Based On LOCAL)
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@
 import info.magnolia.cms.core.ItemType;
 import info.magnolia.cms.exchange.Syndicator;
 import info.magnolia.cms.util.AlertUtil;
+import info.magnolia.cms.util.ContentUtil;
 import info.magnolia.cms.util.FactoryUtil;
 import info.magnolia.cms.util.Rule;
 import info.magnolia.commands.MgnlCommand;
@@ -115,9 +116,13 @@
          if(StringUtils.isEmpty(rootPath)) {
              throw new Exception("Cannot find root path for item type " + itemType);
          }
-         Content root = MgnlContext.getHierarchyManager(DataModule.getRepository()).getRoot().getChildByName(rootPath.substring(1));
+         Content root = ContentUtil.getContent(DataModule.getRepository(), rootPath);
+         if (root != null) {
          return checkChildren(root.getJCRNode(), itemType);
+         } else {
+             return false;
      }
+     }
 
      private boolean checkChildren(Node parent, String itemType) throws RepositoryException {
          boolean exist = false;