diff --git a/src/com/android/contacts/activities/ContactBrowserActivity.java b/src/com/android/contacts/activities/ContactBrowserActivity.java
index e888bc0..fe42385 100644
--- a/src/com/android/contacts/activities/ContactBrowserActivity.java
+++ b/src/com/android/contacts/activities/ContactBrowserActivity.java
@@ -686,7 +686,9 @@
         }
 
         MenuItem settings = menu.findItem(R.id.menu_settings);
-        settings.setVisible(!ContactsPreferenceActivity.isEmpty(this));
+        if (settings != null) {
+            settings.setVisible(!ContactsPreferenceActivity.isEmpty(this));
+        }
 
         mOptionsMenuCustomFilterChangeable = isCustomFilterChangeable();