diff --git a/substance/src/main/java/org/pushingpixels/substance/internal/contrib/jgoodies/looks/common/ShadowPopup.java b/substance/src/main/java/org/pushingpixels/substance/internal/contrib/jgoodies/looks/common/ShadowPopup.java
index eceb463e..4fdf56bb 100644
--- a/substance/src/main/java/org/pushingpixels/substance/internal/contrib/jgoodies/looks/common/ShadowPopup.java
+++ b/substance/src/main/java/org/pushingpixels/substance/internal/contrib/jgoodies/looks/common/ShadowPopup.java
@@ -194,7 +194,9 @@ public void show() {
         if (heavyWeightContainer != null) {
             snapshot();
         }
-        popup.show();
+        if (popup != null) {
+            popup.show();
+        }
     }
 
     /**