diff --git a/jode/jode/decompiler/LocalVariableTable.java b/jode/jode/decompiler/LocalVariableTable.java
index c4fed19..ae97c6e 100644
--- a/jode/jode/decompiler/LocalVariableTable.java
+++ b/jode/jode/decompiler/LocalVariableTable.java
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@ public class LocalVariableTable {
          throws ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException
     {
         LocalVariableRangeList lv = locals[slot];
+        if (lv == null)
+            lv = new LocalVariableRangeList(slot);
         return lv;
     }
 }