diff --git a/empress/support_files/js/biom-table.js b/empress/support_files/js/biom-table.js
index b84d62222..dd4b6f3cd 100644
--- a/empress/support_files/js/biom-table.js
+++ b/empress/support_files/js/biom-table.js
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ define([], function() {
                 result.add(ob);
             });
         }
-        return this._obs[sId];
+        return Array(result);
     };
 
     /**
diff --git a/empress/support_files/js/side-panel-handler.js b/empress/support_files/js/side-panel-handler.js
index b715286ea..73417b9d8 100644
--- a/empress/support_files/js/side-panel-handler.js
+++ b/empress/support_files/js/side-panel-handler.js
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ define(['Colorer'], function(Colorer) {
      */
     SidePanel.prototype._updateSample = function() {
         this.empress.resetTree();
-        
+
         // clear legends
         this.legend.clearAllLegends();