diff --git a/src/com/android/contacts/ContactsListActivity.java b/src/com/android/contacts/ContactsListActivity.java
index 3a1da30..cddcffe 100644
--- a/src/com/android/contacts/ContactsListActivity.java
+++ b/src/com/android/contacts/ContactsListActivity.java
@@ -2604,6 +2604,10 @@
                 return -1;
             }
 
+            if (sectionIndex < 0 || sectionIndex >= mSectionPositions.length) {
+                return -1;
+            }
+
             if (mIndexer == null) {
                 Cursor cursor = mAdapter.getCursor();
                 if (cursor == null) {