diff --git a/src/java/org/apache/commons/math/MathException.java b/src/java/org/apache/commons/math/MathException.java
index 93d7b14a8..143e9a067 100644
--- a/src/java/org/apache/commons/math/MathException.java
+++ b/src/java/org/apache/commons/math/MathException.java
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ public class MathException extends Exception {
     public MathException() {
         super();
         this.pattern   = null;
-        this.arguments = null;
+        this.arguments = new Object[0];
     }
     
     /**