diff --git a/app/src/main/kotlin/com/simplemobiletools/notes/pro/extensions/String.kt b/app/src/main/kotlin/com/simplemobiletools/notes/pro/extensions/String.kt
index a7be6176..5ecf3bf2 100644
--- a/app/src/main/kotlin/com/simplemobiletools/notes/pro/extensions/String.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/kotlin/com/simplemobiletools/notes/pro/extensions/String.kt
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ fun String.parseChecklistItems(): ArrayList<ChecklistItem>? {
     if (startsWith("[{") && endsWith("}]")) {
         try {
             val checklistItemType = object : TypeToken<List<ChecklistItem>>() {}.type
-            return Gson().fromJson<ArrayList<ChecklistItem>>(this, checklistItemType) ?: ArrayList(1)
+            return Gson().fromJson<ArrayList<ChecklistItem>>(this, checklistItemType) ?: null
         } catch (e: Exception) {
         }
     }