diff --git a/PROMS/Volian.Base.Library/VlnSettings.cs b/PROMS/Volian.Base.Library/VlnSettings.cs
index 0f820c2a..d48f80fe 100644
--- a/PROMS/Volian.Base.Library/VlnSettings.cs
+++ b/PROMS/Volian.Base.Library/VlnSettings.cs
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ namespace Volian.Base.Library
 		public static string GetServer()
 		{
 			string str = GetCommand("DB", null);
-			if (str.Contains(":"))
+			if (str != null && str.Contains(":"))
 			{
 				string[] parts = str.Split(":".ToCharArray());
 				return parts[0].Replace("._",".\\");
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ namespace Volian.Base.Library
 		public static string GetItemIDs()
 		{
 			string str = GetCommand("DB", null);
-			if (str.Contains(":"))
+			if (str != null && str.Contains(":"))
 			{
 				string[] parts = str.Split(":".ToCharArray());
 				if(parts.Length > 2) return parts[2];