diff --git a/PROMS/Volian.Print.Library/vlnTab.cs b/PROMS/Volian.Print.Library/vlnTab.cs
index 22923938..5ca810e3 100644
--- a/PROMS/Volian.Print.Library/vlnTab.cs
+++ b/PROMS/Volian.Print.Library/vlnTab.cs
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ namespace Volian.Print.Library
 			}
 			Rtf = GetRtf(origTab, vFont);
 			Rtf = Rtf.Replace("\u25CF", @"\f1\u9679?\f0");		// bullet 25CF
-			if (!myparent.MyItemInfo.FormatStepData.AlwaysTab && myparent.MyItemInfo.MyPrevious != null)
+			if (myparent.MyItemInfo.FormatStepData != null && !myparent.MyItemInfo.FormatStepData.AlwaysTab && myparent.MyItemInfo.MyPrevious != null)
 			{
 				Rtf = Rtf.Replace("Caution:", "        ");
 				Rtf = Rtf.Replace("Note:", "     ");