diff --git a/org.eclipse.jdt.ui/ui/org/eclipse/jdt/internal/ui/preferences/ComplianceConfigurationBlock.java b/org.eclipse.jdt.ui/ui/org/eclipse/jdt/internal/ui/preferences/ComplianceConfigurationBlock.java
index c657e958c28..789e321e599 100644
--- a/org.eclipse.jdt.ui/ui/org/eclipse/jdt/internal/ui/preferences/ComplianceConfigurationBlock.java
+++ b/org.eclipse.jdt.ui/ui/org/eclipse/jdt/internal/ui/preferences/ComplianceConfigurationBlock.java
@@ -863,6 +863,9 @@ private void validateComplianceStatus() {
 	}
 
 	private String addsExportToSystemModule() {
+		if (fProject == null) {
+			return null;
+		}
 		try {
 			for (IClasspathEntry cpe : JavaCore.create(fProject).getRawClasspath()) {
 				if (cpe.getEntryKind() == IClasspathEntry.CPE_CONTAINER && LibrariesWorkbookPage.isJREContainer(cpe.getPath())) {