       d: @props.default
     })
 
-    src = base + md5(@props.email) + "?" + query
+    if @props.md5
+      hash = @props.md5
+    else if @props.email
+      hash = md5(@props.email)
+    else
+      console.warn('Gravatar image can not be fetched. Either the "email" or "md5" prop must be specified.')
+      return(<script/>)
+
+    src = base + hash + "?" + query
 
     return(
       <img

    rating: 'g'
    https: false
    default: "retro"
    email: ''
    className: ""

  render: ->

  displayName: 'Gravatar'

  propTypes:
    email: React.PropTypes.string
    md5: React.PropTypes.string
    size: React.PropTypes.number
    rating: React.PropTypes.string
    https: React.PropTypes.bool
