diff --git a/org.sonarlint.eclipse.ui/src/org/sonarlint/eclipse/ui/internal/properties/FileExclusionsPage.java b/org.sonarlint.eclipse.ui/src/org/sonarlint/eclipse/ui/internal/properties/FileExclusionsPage.java
index ff810306b..6006a6450 100644
--- a/org.sonarlint.eclipse.ui/src/org/sonarlint/eclipse/ui/internal/properties/FileExclusionsPage.java
+++ b/org.sonarlint.eclipse.ui/src/org/sonarlint/eclipse/ui/internal/properties/FileExclusionsPage.java
@@ -281,6 +281,9 @@ public boolean performOk() {
       }
     } else {
       var projectConfig = getProjectConfig();
+      if (projectConfig == null) {
+        return false;
+      }
       var previousFileExclusions = new ArrayList<>(projectConfig.getFileExclusions());
       projectConfig.getFileExclusions().clear();
       projectConfig.getFileExclusions().addAll(exclusions);