diff --git a/uk/ac/sanger/artemis/components/alignment/AbstractGraphPanel.java b/uk/ac/sanger/artemis/components/alignment/AbstractGraphPanel.java
index e8e7f432703f96947584396defa06d959e1c6299..9f651b952c224c2165f1eb87abc1fc3944c29335 100644
--- a/uk/ac/sanger/artemis/components/alignment/AbstractGraphPanel.java
+++ b/uk/ac/sanger/artemis/components/alignment/AbstractGraphPanel.java
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ public class AbstractGraphPanel extends JPanel
                                     final int hgt,
                                     final Color c)
   {
-    if(bamView.getSelection() != null)
+    if(bamView != null && bamView.getSelection() != null)
     {
       final Range selectedRange = bamView.getSelection().getSelectionRange();
       if(selectedRange != null)