diff --git a/platform/platform-impl/src/com/intellij/openapi/editor/impl/EditorImpl.java b/platform/platform-impl/src/com/intellij/openapi/editor/impl/EditorImpl.java
index 45c1d6e8c2dd..6877360652ba 100644
--- a/platform/platform-impl/src/com/intellij/openapi/editor/impl/EditorImpl.java
+++ b/platform/platform-impl/src/com/intellij/openapi/editor/impl/EditorImpl.java
@@ -1782,7 +1782,7 @@ public final class EditorImpl extends UserDataHolderBase implements EditorEx, Hi
     if (softWrap != null) {
       softWrapsToSkip.add(softWrap.getStart());
       Color color = null;
-      if (!backColor.equals(defaultBackground)) {
+      if (backColor != null && !backColor.equals(defaultBackground)) {
         color = backColor;
       }