diff --git a/src/main/java/com/sun/syndication/feed/module/SyModuleImpl.java b/src/main/java/com/sun/syndication/feed/module/SyModuleImpl.java
index d1d588d..c260fd5 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/sun/syndication/feed/module/SyModuleImpl.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/sun/syndication/feed/module/SyModuleImpl.java
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ public class SyModuleImpl extends ModuleImpl implements SyModule {
      */
     @Override
     public Date getUpdateBase() {
-        return new Date(updateBase.getTime());
+        return updateBase != null ? new Date(updateBase.getTime()) : null;
     }
 
     /**