Fatal error: Maximum function nesting level v1.5.5

I'm setting up HikaShop for the first time on my development server (Joomla 1.7.3 HikaShop v. 1.5.5) and am getting this error when viewing the category listing menu item type.

The problem is at line 82 of components/com_hikashop/views/category/tmpl/listing.php and is caused by problems configuring the menu item. specifically this is returning a blank
when I edit the menu item and view the hikashop options I get this php message
Notice: Undefined index: layout_type in /xxx/administrator/components/com_hikashop/views/menus/tmpl/form.php on line 83

I know this problem is caused by having php max error reporting enabled but there should be a trap for this I believe.

Geraint

I'm not sure how you were able to get that error. You can add the code:
if(!isset($element->hikashop_params)){
$element->hikashop_params = 'div';
}

in the file administrator/components/com_hikashop/views/menus/view.html.php before the line:
$this->assignRef('element',$element);

Then, go in your menu, save the options and your menu should work.