diff --git a/src/main/java/com/microfocus/bdd/JunitReportReader.java b/src/main/java/com/microfocus/bdd/JunitReportReader.java
index 128193a..5471492 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/microfocus/bdd/JunitReportReader.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/microfocus/bdd/JunitReportReader.java
@@ -89,6 +89,10 @@ public Element next() {
         }
 
         private Element getElement(StartElement startElementEvent) {
+            if (null == startElementEvent) {
+                return null;
+            }
+
             Element element = new Element();
             try {
                 String elementName = getElementName(startElementEvent);