diff --git a/docshell/base/nsWebShell.cpp b/docshell/base/nsWebShell.cpp
index d2a2711d4f0..add7e65857f 100644
--- a/docshell/base/nsWebShell.cpp
+++ b/docshell/base/nsWebShell.cpp
@@ -2133,6 +2133,8 @@ nsWebShell::LoadURI(nsIURI * aUri,
   CancelRefreshURITimers();
   nsXPIDLCString scheme, CUriSpec;
 
+  if (!aUri) return NS_ERROR_NULL_POINTER; 
+
   rv = aUri->GetScheme(getter_Copies(scheme));
   if (NS_FAILED(rv)) return rv;
   rv = aUri->GetSpec(getter_Copies(CUriSpec));
diff --git a/webshell/src/nsWebShell.cpp b/webshell/src/nsWebShell.cpp
index d2a2711d4f0..add7e65857f 100644
--- a/webshell/src/nsWebShell.cpp
+++ b/webshell/src/nsWebShell.cpp
@@ -2133,6 +2133,8 @@ nsWebShell::LoadURI(nsIURI * aUri,
   CancelRefreshURITimers();
   nsXPIDLCString scheme, CUriSpec;
 
+  if (!aUri) return NS_ERROR_NULL_POINTER; 
+
   rv = aUri->GetScheme(getter_Copies(scheme));
   if (NS_FAILED(rv)) return rv;
   rv = aUri->GetSpec(getter_Copies(CUriSpec));