diff --git a/rse/plugins/org.eclipse.rse.ui/UI/org/eclipse/rse/internal/ui/view/SystemView.java b/rse/plugins/org.eclipse.rse.ui/UI/org/eclipse/rse/internal/ui/view/SystemView.java
index 94e249c6993..08e2dc20a71 100644
--- a/rse/plugins/org.eclipse.rse.ui/UI/org/eclipse/rse/internal/ui/view/SystemView.java
+++ b/rse/plugins/org.eclipse.rse.ui/UI/org/eclipse/rse/internal/ui/view/SystemView.java
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ public class SystemView extends SafeTreeViewer
 				if (parentName.equals(itemToExpand.remoteName)){
 					// same item
 				}
-				else if (itemToExpand.remoteName.startsWith(parentName)){
+				else if (itemToExpand.remoteName != null && itemToExpand.remoteName.startsWith(parentName)){
 					// child item
 					subChildren.add(itemToExpand);
 				}