diff --git a/OpenSim/Region/Communications/OGS1/OGS1UserServices.cs b/OpenSim/Region/Communications/OGS1/OGS1UserServices.cs
index e7577c0b70..4a44ae63a6 100644
--- a/OpenSim/Region/Communications/OGS1/OGS1UserServices.cs
+++ b/OpenSim/Region/Communications/OGS1/OGS1UserServices.cs
@@ -655,7 +655,7 @@ namespace OpenSim.Region.Communications.OGS1
                 XmlRpcResponse resp = req.Send(m_commsManager.NetworkServersInfo.UserURL, 8000);
                 Hashtable respData = (Hashtable) resp.Value;
 
-                if (respData.Contains("avcount"))
+                if (respData != null && respData.Contains("avcount"))
                 {
                     buddylist = ConvertXMLRPCDataToFriendListItemList(respData);
                 }