diff --git a/codan/org.eclipse.cdt.codan.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/codan/internal/ui/preferences/FieldEditorOverlayPage.java b/codan/org.eclipse.cdt.codan.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/codan/internal/ui/preferences/FieldEditorOverlayPage.java
index 6b77c8a388c..4dd7239eb25 100644
--- a/codan/org.eclipse.cdt.codan.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/codan/internal/ui/preferences/FieldEditorOverlayPage.java
+++ b/codan/org.eclipse.cdt.codan.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/codan/internal/ui/preferences/FieldEditorOverlayPage.java
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ public abstract class FieldEditorOverlayPage extends FieldEditorPreferencePage
 	 * @see org.eclipse.ui.IWorkbenchPropertyPage#getElement()
 	 */
 	public IAdaptable getElement() {
+		if (element==null) return element;
 		if (!(element instanceof IProject))
 			return (IAdaptable) element.getAdapter(IProject.class);
 		return element;