diff --git a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/buildconsole/BuildConsolePage.java b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/buildconsole/BuildConsolePage.java
index 01d3561bee2..7294300c5c7 100644
--- a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/buildconsole/BuildConsolePage.java
+++ b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/buildconsole/BuildConsolePage.java
@@ -259,7 +259,9 @@ public class BuildConsolePage extends Page
 			setTabs(CUIPlugin.getDefault().getPreferenceStore()
 					.getInt(BuildConsolePreferencePage.PREF_BUILDCONSOLE_TAB_WIDTH));
 		} else if (IConsoleConstants.P_BACKGROUND_COLOR.equals(property)) {
-			fViewer.getTextWidget().setBackground(fConsole.getBackground());
+			if (fViewer != null && fViewer.getTextWidget() != null && fConsole != null) {
+				fViewer.getTextWidget().setBackground(fConsole.getBackground());
+			}
 		} else if (property.equals(BuildConsolePreferencePage.PREF_BUILDCONSOLE_WRAP_LINES)
 				|| property.equals(BuildConsolePreferencePage.PREF_BUILDCONSOLE_LINES)
 				|| property.equals(BuildConsolePreferencePage.PREF_BUILDCONSOLE_WRAP_LINES_MAX)) {