diff --git a/cave/com.raytheon.viz.warnings/src/com/raytheon/viz/warnings/rsc/WatchesResource.java b/cave/com.raytheon.viz.warnings/src/com/raytheon/viz/warnings/rsc/WatchesResource.java
index 330b178d6b..ae2b363dc2 100644
--- a/cave/com.raytheon.viz.warnings/src/com/raytheon/viz/warnings/rsc/WatchesResource.java
+++ b/cave/com.raytheon.viz.warnings/src/com/raytheon/viz/warnings/rsc/WatchesResource.java
@@ -192,6 +192,9 @@ public class WatchesResource extends AbstractWWAResource {
                 JTSCompiler jtsCompiler = new JTSCompiler(ss, null,
                         this.descriptor, PointStyle.CROSS);
                 jtsCompiler.handle(geo, color);
+                if (record.getPhen() == null) {
+                    return;
+                }
                 ss.setFillPattern(FillPatterns.getGLPattern(record.getPhen()
                         .equals("TO") ? "VERTICAL" : "HORIZONTAL"));
                 ss.compile();