diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/invitation/InvitationServiceImpl.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/invitation/InvitationServiceImpl.java
index 2929bef20a..bec570840f 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/invitation/InvitationServiceImpl.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/repo/invitation/InvitationServiceImpl.java
@@ -831,7 +831,7 @@ public class InvitationServiceImpl implements InvitationService, NodeServicePoli
     private boolean invitationMatches(Invitation invitation, InvitationSearchCriteria criteria)
     {
         String invitee = criteria.getInvitee();
-        if (invitee!= null && false == invitee.equals(invitation.getInviteeUserName()))
+        if (invitation == null || (invitee!= null && false == invitee.equals(invitation.getInviteeUserName())))
         {
             return false;
         }