diff --git a/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/models/data/project/ProjectListingModel.java b/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/models/data/project/ProjectListingModel.java
index ae93cb757..4447a04db 100644
--- a/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/models/data/project/ProjectListingModel.java
+++ b/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/models/data/project/ProjectListingModel.java
@@ -102,8 +102,8 @@ public class ProjectListingModel implements DataModel<eu.eudat.data.entities.Pro
         this.definition = definition;
     }
 
-    public short getStatus() {
-        return status.getValue();
+    public Short getStatus() {
+        return status != null ? status.getValue() : null;
     }
 
     public void setStatus(Short status) {