diff --git a/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/vlnTreeView.cs b/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/vlnTreeView.cs
index d490ed08..e02c629f 100644
--- a/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/vlnTreeView.cs
+++ b/PROMS/Volian.Controls.Library/vlnTreeView.cs
@@ -1184,8 +1184,11 @@ namespace Volian.Controls.Library
 								int cpindx = 0;
 								if (SelectedNode.Nodes.Count>0)
 								{
-									ItemInfo ichld1 = (SelectedNode.Nodes[0] as VETreeNode).VEObject as ItemInfo;
-									if (ichld1.IsStep)
+									VETreeNode vtn = SelectedNode.Nodes[0] as VETreeNode;
+									ItemInfo ichld1 = null;
+									if (vtn != null) ichld1 = vtn.VEObject as ItemInfo;
+									//ItemInfo ichld1 = (SelectedNode.Nodes[0] as VETreeNode).VEObject as ItemInfo;
+									if (ichld1 != null && ichld1.IsStep)
 									{
 										// find associated part node:
 										foreach (PartInfo pi in ii.MyContent.ContentParts)