diff --git a/rse/plugins/org.eclipse.rse.services.dstore/src/org/eclipse/rse/services/dstore/files/DStoreHostFile.java b/rse/plugins/org.eclipse.rse.services.dstore/src/org/eclipse/rse/services/dstore/files/DStoreHostFile.java
index 9bab37168c3..c38d3d6723b 100644
--- a/rse/plugins/org.eclipse.rse.services.dstore/src/org/eclipse/rse/services/dstore/files/DStoreHostFile.java
+++ b/rse/plugins/org.eclipse.rse.services.dstore/src/org/eclipse/rse/services/dstore/files/DStoreHostFile.java
@@ -235,6 +235,11 @@ public class DStoreHostFile implements IHostFile
 	public String getAbsolutePath()
 	{			
 		String name = _element.getName();
+		if (name == null)
+		{
+			// this element is deleted
+			return "";
+		}
 		if (name.length() == 0)
 		{
 			return _element.getValue();