diff --git a/src/com/android/email/Controller.java b/src/com/android/email/Controller.java
index 72656e345..29af7569f 100644
--- a/src/com/android/email/Controller.java
+++ b/src/com/android/email/Controller.java
@@ -488,7 +488,9 @@ public class Controller {
                         }
                     }
                 } finally {
-                    c.close();
+                    if (c != null) {
+                        c.close();
+                    }
                 }
             }
         }.start();