diff --git a/debug/org.eclipse.cdt.debug.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/debug/internal/core/sourcelookup/CSourceNotFoundElement.java b/debug/org.eclipse.cdt.debug.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/debug/internal/core/sourcelookup/CSourceNotFoundElement.java
index a651b43b1a0..3fa97b0a60e 100644
--- a/debug/org.eclipse.cdt.debug.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/debug/internal/core/sourcelookup/CSourceNotFoundElement.java
+++ b/debug/org.eclipse.cdt.debug.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/debug/internal/core/sourcelookup/CSourceNotFoundElement.java
@@ -33,7 +33,9 @@ public class CSourceNotFoundElement {
 	public CSourceNotFoundElement(IAdaptable element, ILaunchConfiguration launch, String file) {
 		this.element = element;
 		this.launch = launch;
-		this.file = file;
+		
+		// client assumes empty string rather than null
+		this.file = file != null ? file : ""; //$NON-NLS-1$
 	}
 
 	public ILaunchConfiguration getLaunch() {