diff --git a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/fragment/ItemFragment.java b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/fragment/ItemFragment.java
index 705de636c..dc9f9740d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/fragment/ItemFragment.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/de/danoeh/antennapod/fragment/ItemFragment.java
@@ -324,8 +324,16 @@ public class ItemFragment extends Fragment {
     }
 
     private void updateAppearance() {
+        if (item == null) {
+            Log.d(TAG, "updateAppearance item is null");
+            return;
+        }
+
         txtvTitle.setText(item.getTitle());
-        txtvPublished.setText(DateUtils.formatDateTime(getActivity(), item.getPubDate().getTime(), DateUtils.FORMAT_ABBREV_ALL));
+
+        if (item.getPubDate() != null) {
+            txtvPublished.setText(DateUtils.formatDateTime(getActivity(), item.getPubDate().getTime(), DateUtils.FORMAT_ABBREV_ALL));
+        }
 
         Glide.with(getActivity())
                 .load(item.getImageUri())