diff --git a/bundles/org.openhab.binding.hue/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/hue/internal/discovery/HueBridgeDiscoveryParticipant.java b/bundles/org.openhab.binding.hue/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/hue/internal/discovery/HueBridgeDiscoveryParticipant.java
index d5bb4ce498354..7018c62917b3a 100644
--- a/bundles/org.openhab.binding.hue/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/hue/internal/discovery/HueBridgeDiscoveryParticipant.java
+++ b/bundles/org.openhab.binding.hue/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/hue/internal/discovery/HueBridgeDiscoveryParticipant.java
@@ -119,9 +119,11 @@ public long getRemovalGracePeriodSeconds(RemoteDevice device) {
         try {
             Configuration conf = configAdmin.getConfiguration("binding.hue");
             Dictionary<String, @Nullable Object> properties = conf.getProperties();
-            Object property = properties.get(HueBindingConstants.REMOVAL_GRACE_PERIOD);
-            if (property != null) {
-                removalGracePeriodSeconds = Long.parseLong(property.toString());
+            if (properties != null) {
+                Object property = properties.get(HueBindingConstants.REMOVAL_GRACE_PERIOD);
+                if (property != null) {
+                    removalGracePeriodSeconds = Long.parseLong(property.toString());
+                }
             }
         } catch (IOException | IllegalStateException | NumberFormatException e) {
             // fall through to pre-initialised (default) value