diff --git a/src/main/java/com/samskivert/net/MACUtil.java b/src/main/java/com/samskivert/net/MACUtil.java
index e2e73128..e9f84a53 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/samskivert/net/MACUtil.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/samskivert/net/MACUtil.java
@@ -68,6 +68,10 @@ public class MACUtil
      */
     protected static String[] parseMACs (String text)
     {
+        if (text == null) {
+            return new String[0];
+        }
+
         Matcher m = MACRegex.matcher(text);
 
         ArrayList<String> list = new ArrayList<String>();