diff --git a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/parser/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/dom/parser/ASTNode.java b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/parser/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/dom/parser/ASTNode.java
index 5b06431a85c..9db66eea57e 100644
--- a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/parser/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/dom/parser/ASTNode.java
+++ b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/parser/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/dom/parser/ASTNode.java
@@ -98,7 +98,9 @@ public abstract class ASTNode implements IASTNode {
     public IASTFileLocation getFileLocation() {
         if( fileLocation != null )
             return fileLocation;
-        fileLocation = getTranslationUnit().flattenLocationsToFile( getNodeLocations() );
+        IASTTranslationUnit ast = getTranslationUnit();
+        if (ast != null)
+        	fileLocation = ast.flattenLocationsToFile( getNodeLocations() );
         return fileLocation;
     }