diff --git a/main/src/com/google/refine/commands/row/GetRowsCommand.java b/main/src/com/google/refine/commands/row/GetRowsCommand.java
index 8feb8c5f4..32b088660 100644
--- a/main/src/com/google/refine/commands/row/GetRowsCommand.java
+++ b/main/src/com/google/refine/commands/row/GetRowsCommand.java
@@ -180,7 +180,9 @@ public class GetRowsCommand extends Command {
             }
             
             // metadata refresh for row mode and record mode
-            project.getMetadata().setRowCount(project.rows.size());
+	    if (project.getMetadata() != null) {
+            	project.getMetadata().setRowCount(project.rows.size());
+	    }
         } catch (Exception e) {
             respondException(response, e);
         }