diff --git a/rse/plugins/org.eclipse.rse.ui/UI/org/eclipse/rse/ui/view/SystemTableTreeView.java b/rse/plugins/org.eclipse.rse.ui/UI/org/eclipse/rse/ui/view/SystemTableTreeView.java
index 0eff6491d5a..1aeb09ac7a3 100644
--- a/rse/plugins/org.eclipse.rse.ui/UI/org/eclipse/rse/ui/view/SystemTableTreeView.java
+++ b/rse/plugins/org.eclipse.rse.ui/UI/org/eclipse/rse/ui/view/SystemTableTreeView.java
@@ -569,6 +569,8 @@ implements IMenuListener, ISystemDeleteTarget, ISystemRenameTarget, ISystemSelec
 			return;
 			
 		SystemTableTreeViewProvider provider = (SystemTableTreeViewProvider) getContentProvider();
+		if (provider == null)
+			return;
 		Object[] children = provider.getChildren(_objectInput);
 
 		// if no children, don't update