diff --git a/maven-project/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/project/artifact/MavenMetadataSource.java b/maven-project/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/project/artifact/MavenMetadataSource.java
index d26710253a..f419e70d6a 100644
--- a/maven-project/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/project/artifact/MavenMetadataSource.java
+++ b/maven-project/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/project/artifact/MavenMetadataSource.java
@@ -215,6 +215,8 @@ public class MavenMetadataSource
                 catch ( ProjectBuildingException e )
                 {
                     handleInvalidOrMissingMavenPOM( artifact, e );
+                    
+                    project = null;
                 }
 
                 if ( project != null )