diff --git a/maven-model-builder/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/model/interpolation/StringSearchModelInterpolator.java b/maven-model-builder/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/model/interpolation/StringSearchModelInterpolator.java
index 93e53b7e54a4..9fae53de87ca 100644
--- a/maven-model-builder/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/model/interpolation/StringSearchModelInterpolator.java
+++ b/maven-model-builder/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/model/interpolation/StringSearchModelInterpolator.java
@@ -173,7 +173,11 @@ else if ( cacheEntry.isQualifiedForInterpolation )
             {
                 cacheEntry.interpolate( target, this );
 
-                traverseObjectWithParents( cls.getSuperclass(), target );
+                Class<?> superclass = cls.getSuperclass();
+                if ( superclass != cls )
+                {
+                    traverseObjectWithParents( superclass, target );
+                }
             }
         }