diff --git a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/pi/impl/PiGroupTranslatorImpl.java b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/pi/impl/PiGroupTranslatorImpl.java
index d989571..4a4dff7 100644
--- a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/pi/impl/PiGroupTranslatorImpl.java
+++ b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/pi/impl/PiGroupTranslatorImpl.java
@@ -109,6 +109,9 @@
 
             final PiTableAction tableAction = translateTreatment(bucket.treatment(), interpreter, groupKey.tableId(),
                                                                  pipeconf.pipelineModel());
+            if (tableAction == null) {
+                throw new PiTranslationException("The PI table action returned by the interpreter is null");
+            }
 
             if (tableAction.type() != ACTION) {
                 throw new PiTranslationException(format(