diff --git a/src/net/java/sip/communicator/impl/gui/main/contactlist/SearchFieldUI.java b/src/net/java/sip/communicator/impl/gui/main/contactlist/SearchFieldUI.java
index fd7d6aa22..22c3367b0 100644
--- a/src/net/java/sip/communicator/impl/gui/main/contactlist/SearchFieldUI.java
+++ b/src/net/java/sip/communicator/impl/gui/main/contactlist/SearchFieldUI.java
@@ -173,6 +173,10 @@ protected Rectangle getVisibleEditorRect()
     {
         Rectangle rect = super.getVisibleEditorRect();
 
+        // Fixes NullPointerException if the rectangle is null for some reason.
+        if (rect == null)
+            return null;
+
         if ((rect.width > 0) && (rect.height > 0))
         {
             rect.x += searchIcon.getIconWidth() + 8;