1 files changed, 3 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/base/util/src/netscape/security/x509/IssuingDistributionPointExtension.java b/base/util/src/netscape/security/x509/IssuingDistributionPointExtension.java
index 67ace692e..0f8c8835c 100644
--- a/base/util/src/netscape/security/x509/IssuingDistributionPointExtension.java
+++ b/base/util/src/netscape/security/x509/IssuingDistributionPointExtension.java
@@ -195,6 +195,9 @@ public class IssuingDistributionPointExtension extends Extension
                                 opt.resetTag(DerValue.tag_BitString);
                                 try {
                                     BitArray reasons = opt.getUnalignedBitString();
+                                    if (reasons == null) {
+                                        throw new IOException("Unable to get the unaligned bit string.");
+                                    }
                                     issuingDistributionPoint.setOnlySomeReasons(reasons);
 
                                     @SuppressWarnings("unused")