diff --git a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/editor/InactiveCodeHighlighting.java b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/editor/InactiveCodeHighlighting.java
index 094f01c7d7e..bf597fface5 100644
--- a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/editor/InactiveCodeHighlighting.java
+++ b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/editor/InactiveCodeHighlighting.java
@@ -145,8 +145,8 @@ public class InactiveCodeHighlighting implements ICReconcilingListener {
 	}
 
 	public void dispose() {
-		uninstall();
 		fLineBackgroundPainter= null;
+		uninstall();
 	}
 
 	/**