diff --git a/includes/class-simple-local-avatars.php b/includes/class-simple-local-avatars.php
index dd2de71..16ed153 100644
--- a/includes/class-simple-local-avatars.php
+++ b/includes/class-simple-local-avatars.php
@@ -326,6 +326,20 @@ public function get_user_id( $id_or_email ) {
 		return $user_id;
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * Get the local avatar user meta.
+	 *
+	 * @param int $user_id User ID.
+	 * @return array Array with avatar data.
+	 */
+	public static function get_user_local_avatar( $user ) {
+		$local_avatars = get_user_meta( $user_id, $this->user_key, true );
+		if ( ! is_array( $local_avatars ) || empty( $local_avatars ) ) {
+			return [];
+		}
+		return $local_avatars;
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Get local avatar url.
 	 *
@@ -343,7 +357,7 @@ public function get_simple_local_avatar_url( $id_or_email, $size ) {
 		}
 
 		// Fetch local avatar from meta and make sure it's properly set.
-		$local_avatars = get_user_meta( $user_id, $this->user_key, true );
+		$local_avatars = self::get_user_local_avatar( $user_id );
 		if ( empty( $local_avatars['full'] ) ) {
 			return '';
 		}
@@ -1181,7 +1195,7 @@ public function ajax_assign_simple_local_avatar_media() {
 	 * @param int $user_id User ID.
 	 */
 	public function avatar_delete( $user_id ) {
-		$old_avatars = (array) get_user_meta( $user_id, $this->user_key, true );
+		$old_avatars = self::get_user_local_avatar( $user_id );
 
 		if ( empty( $old_avatars ) ) {
 			return;