diff --git a/jdk/src/share/classes/com/sun/java/swing/plaf/windows/WindowsComboBoxUI.java b/jdk/src/share/classes/com/sun/java/swing/plaf/windows/WindowsComboBoxUI.java
index 097e6a689cb..ae33ddd3665 100644
--- a/jdk/src/share/classes/com/sun/java/swing/plaf/windows/WindowsComboBoxUI.java
+++ b/jdk/src/share/classes/com/sun/java/swing/plaf/windows/WindowsComboBoxUI.java
@@ -424,7 +424,7 @@ public class WindowsComboBoxUI extends BasicComboBoxUI {
             State rv;
             rv = super.getState();
             if (rv != State.DISABLED
-                && ! comboBox.isEditable()
+                && comboBox != null && ! comboBox.isEditable()
                 && XPStyle.getXP().isSkinDefined(comboBox,
                                                  Part.CP_DROPDOWNBUTTONRIGHT)) {
                 /*