diff --git a/batik-bridge/src/main/java/org/apache/batik/bridge/SVGUseElementBridge.java b/batik-bridge/src/main/java/org/apache/batik/bridge/SVGUseElementBridge.java
index 2a6593aacb..b24d5fb76c 100644
--- a/batik-bridge/src/main/java/org/apache/batik/bridge/SVGUseElementBridge.java
+++ b/batik-bridge/src/main/java/org/apache/batik/bridge/SVGUseElementBridge.java
@@ -217,7 +217,8 @@ public GraphicsNode createGraphicsNode(BridgeContext ctx, Element e) {
 
         ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-        gn.getChildren().add(refNode);
+        if (refNode != null)
+            gn.getChildren().add(refNode);
 
         gn.setTransform(computeTransform((SVGTransformable) e, ctx));