diff --git a/idea/src/org/jetbrains/jet/plugin/references/JetSimpleNameReference.java b/idea/src/org/jetbrains/jet/plugin/references/JetSimpleNameReference.java
index b90af3696ef..55d454b3c50 100644
--- a/idea/src/org/jetbrains/jet/plugin/references/JetSimpleNameReference.java
+++ b/idea/src/org/jetbrains/jet/plugin/references/JetSimpleNameReference.java
@@ -38,7 +38,9 @@ class JetSimpleNameReference extends JetPsiReference {
 
     @Override
     public TextRange getRangeInElement() {
-        return new TextRange(0, getElement().getTextLength());
+        PsiElement element = getElement();
+        if (element == null) return null;
+        return new TextRange(0, element.getTextLength());
     }
 
     @NotNull