diff --git a/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/lang3/time/FastDateParser.java b/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/lang3/time/FastDateParser.java
index 56907f01f..6851a4dc4 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/lang3/time/FastDateParser.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/lang3/time/FastDateParser.java
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ public class FastDateParser implements DateParser, Serializable {
         final int width;
 
         StrategyAndWidth(final Strategy strategy, final int width) {
-            this.strategy = strategy;
+            this.strategy = Objects.requireNonNull(strategy, "strategy");
             this.width = width;
         }