diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 4346f5a..742072c 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 
 ### Fixed
 
+- Fixed `NullPointerException` when plugin descriptor is not available during startup
 - Fixed `NoClassDefFoundError` in `CsvEditorSettings`
 - Fixed `java.lang.Throwable: ... Class initialization must not depend on services` by removing service access from class initializers and constructors
 - Fixed a `PluginException` (caused by `java.lang.IllegalArgumentException`) that occurred during early plugin initialization
diff --git a/src/main/java/net/seesharpsoft/intellij/plugins/csv/CsvPlugin.java b/src/main/java/net/seesharpsoft/intellij/plugins/csv/CsvPlugin.java
index 4dcdf6d..cfeca09 100644
--- a/src/main/java/net/seesharpsoft/intellij/plugins/csv/CsvPlugin.java
+++ b/src/main/java/net/seesharpsoft/intellij/plugins/csv/CsvPlugin.java
@@ -64,12 +64,13 @@ public void run(@NotNull ProgressIndicator progressIndicator) {
         doAsyncProjectMaintenance(project);
         
         NotificationGroup notificationGroup = NotificationGroupManager.getInstance().getNotificationGroup("net.seesharpsoft.intellij.plugins.csv");
-        if (notificationGroup == null || CsvEditorSettings.getInstance().checkCurrentPluginVersion(CsvPluginManager.getVersion())) {
+        String version = CsvPluginManager.getVersion();
+        if (version.isEmpty() || notificationGroup == null || CsvEditorSettings.getInstance().checkCurrentPluginVersion(version)) {
             return continuation;
         }
 
         Notification notification = notificationGroup.createNotification(
-                "CSV Editor " + CsvPluginManager.getVersion() + " - Change Notes",
+                "CSV Editor " + version + " - Change Notes",
                 CsvPluginManager.getChangeNotes() +
                         "<p>You can always <b>customize plugin settings</b> to your likings (shortcuts below)!</p>" +
                         "<br>" +
diff --git a/src/main/java/net/seesharpsoft/intellij/plugins/csv/CsvPluginManager.java b/src/main/java/net/seesharpsoft/intellij/plugins/csv/CsvPluginManager.java
index 308e7af..57d08b3 100644
--- a/src/main/java/net/seesharpsoft/intellij/plugins/csv/CsvPluginManager.java
+++ b/src/main/java/net/seesharpsoft/intellij/plugins/csv/CsvPluginManager.java
@@ -30,11 +30,13 @@ public static IdeaPluginDescriptor getPluginDescriptor() {
     }
 
     public static String getVersion() {
-        return getPluginDescriptor().getVersion();
+        IdeaPluginDescriptor descriptor = getPluginDescriptor();
+        return descriptor == null ? "" : descriptor.getVersion();
     }
 
     public static String getChangeNotes() {
-        return getPluginDescriptor().getChangeNotes();
+        IdeaPluginDescriptor descriptor = getPluginDescriptor();
+        return descriptor == null ? "" : descriptor.getChangeNotes();
     }
 
     private CsvPluginManager() {