diff --git a/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/ui/tabs/FileColorsConfigurable.java b/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/ui/tabs/FileColorsConfigurable.java
index d08ec4f55f60..ff6a4be6a2b2 100644
--- a/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/ui/tabs/FileColorsConfigurable.java
+++ b/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/ui/tabs/FileColorsConfigurable.java
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ public class FileColorsConfigurable implements Configurable, NonDefaultProjectCo
   }
 
   public boolean isModified() {
-    return myPanel.isModified();
+    return myPanel != null && myPanel.isModified();
   }
 
   public void apply() throws ConfigurationException {