diff --git a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/parser/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/parser/ast/complete/ASTTypeId.java b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/parser/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/parser/ast/complete/ASTTypeId.java
index baad2ff9e6f..989fc6e6884 100644
--- a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/parser/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/parser/ast/complete/ASTTypeId.java
+++ b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/parser/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/parser/ast/complete/ASTTypeId.java
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ public class ASTTypeId implements IASTTypeId
   		if( tokenDuple != null )
    			tokenDuple.freeReferences( manager );
    		
-		if( references.isEmpty() ) return;
+		if( references == null || references.isEmpty() ) return;
 		for( int i =0; i < references.size(); ++i)
 			manager.returnReference( (IASTReference) references.get(i));
 		references.clear();